Earlier today Gina McCarthy, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, introduced EPA’s revised rules for new power plants. Under the proposed rules, large natural gas-fired turbines emissions would be to less than 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per MWh . New small natural gas-fired turbines would be limited to emission of less than 1,100 pounds of carbon dioxide per MWh. New coal-fired units would be required to emit less than 1,100 pounds of carbon dioxide per MWh. Currently, the average U.S. coal plant emits 1,768 pounds of carbon dioxide per MWh-hour. Natural gas plants emit approximately 800 to 850 pounds.
EPA’s comment period will remain open for 60 days following publication in the Federal Register. Follow SMG’s Reg Watch for updates.
President Obama has told EPA to come up with a proposal by June 2014 to clean up the older plants.