EPA to crack down on US power plant emissions

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is this week expected to propose a legislation that would see all future power plants in the US the subject of strict new carbon emission standards.

As early as today, the Obama administration could put forward New Source Performance Standards. These would see all new plants have their emissions limited to similar levels emitted by efficient natural gas plants.

The matter is set to be fiercely contested by both Republicans and industry members, a source close to the Obama administration told Reuters, and the legislation is likely to remain a hot topic in the lead up to the election later this year. 

The source added that the EPA ruling could provide coal plants with further incentives to store their carbon emissions underground by installing Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology. The rules would also allow new coal plants time to implement this technology, the source said.

However, companies could be put off investing in the build of new coal-fired plants altogether, especially as such plants will emit nearly double the amount of carbon dioxide that natural gas plants emit.

Even older plants are now facing uncertainty. Though, according to Reuters, the new rules will not affect existing or modified plants, they do provide the

EPA with a platform from which to regulate them in the near future. This potential threat, combined with record-low prices for natural gas, has lead to many energy firms decommissioning their existing plants.

There is no guarantee of a final decision on this week’s proposal by November 6th, said Gina McCarthy, the EPA’s Clean Air Chief. In fact, the the decision could well be overturned if Obama fails to regain power.

The prospect of stricter emission standards for power plants has been warmly received by environmental campaigners, who were previously left seething by Obama’s decision to delay air pollution standards in September of last year.

“The bottom line for our country is that cleaner power will cut harmful carbon dioxide pollution, protect our children and help secure a safe prosperous future,” said the general counsel for the Environmental Defense Fund, Vickie Patton.

 

Image 01: Antennas | Wikimedia Commons

Image 02: Climate Action Stock Photo

Image 03: Climate Action Stock Photo