Former coal burner, converted to natural gas in 2015-2016. Until 2015, buoght coal from Peabody Energy’s North Antelope Rochelle Mine in Wyoming. Since 1975 co-fires RDF which accounts for 10MW of output. In January 2009 the plant caught fire and caused $30,000 in damages. The plant was closed for a few days due to the fire, but reopened again in just a few days. In 2011, Ames began to reconsider its "Free Garbage Disposal Day" which it has hosted 2x/year since 1977. The days were costing the City significant money as it requires shutting down the plant for a few days in advance and turning around commercial haulers that pay a tipping fee.