Energy Efficiency, GHG Emissions, Industrial  -  May 15, 2023

EPA Proposes Carbon Pollution Standards for Power Plants

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed several carbon pollution standards for coal and natural gas-fired power plants.

These proposals are anticipated to avoid up to 617 million metric tons of total carbon dioxide through 2042. The EPA estimates the climate and health benefits of the standards are up to $85 billion.

The proposals would also cut tens of thousands of tons of particulate matter (PM2.5), sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide.

“By proposing new standards for fossil fuel-fired power plants, EPA is delivering on its mission to reduce harmful pollution that threatens people’s health and wellbeing,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan in a statement. “EPA’s proposal relies on proven, readily available technologies to limit carbon pollution and seizes the momentum already underway in the power sector to move toward a cleaner future. Alongside historic investment taking place across America in clean energy manufacturing and deployment, these proposals will help deliver tremendous benefits to the American people — cutting climate pollution and other harmful pollutants, protecting people’s health, and driving American innovation.”

The proposed limits would require reductions in carbon pollution based on proven and cost-effective control technologies that can be applied directly to power plants. 

The standards the EPA is proposing include strengthening the current New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for newly built fossil fuel-fired stationary combustion turbines (generally natural gas-fired), establishing emission guidelines for states to follow in limiting carbon pollution from existing fossil fuel-fired steam generating EGUs (including coal, oil and natural gas-fired units) and also establishing emission guidelines for large, frequently used existing fossil fuel-fired stationary combustion turbines (generally natural gas-fired).

The EPA is projecting the proposed standards for existing gas-fired plants and the third phase of the NSPS could achieve up to 407 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emission reductions. 

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