They're finally here.
On Friday morning, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced new regulations to limit carbon emissions for new power plants.
From a rundown and analysis of what's in the rules to primary source materials and best reactions from around the web, here's everything you need to know about the carbon emission standards:
What's in the regulations:
An EPA press release gives a basic overview of what's in the new rules:
"Under today’s proposal, new large natural gas-fired turbines would need to meet a limit of 1,000 pounds of CO2 per megawatt-hour, while new small natural gas-fired turbines would need to meet a limit of 1,100 pounds of CO2 per megawatt-hour. New coal-fired units would need to meet a limit of 1,100 pounds of CO2 per megawatt-hour, and would have the option to meet a somewhat tighter limit if they choose to average emissions over multiple years, giving those units additional operational flexibility."
The new rules will effectively mandate the use of carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technology for new power plants.
Context and analysis:
Three notable things about the new regulations.
First, McCarthy framed the rules, first and foremost, as a solution to the greatest public heath crisis of today—carbon emissions. Complying with the new standards may be an economic struggle for utilities, but McCarthy sees the rules as a moral and necessary act. This is why she and President Obama deemed the new rules as a necessary step to push utilities out of their comfort zones.
Second, the regulations maintain "flexibility" for implementation of the rules. While the EPA will push all utilities to comply with the new standards, McCarthy emphasized in her announcement that the push will not necessarily be standardized. Utility power plants could receive case-specific treatment. The EPA expects growing pains out of the gate, but is looking to work closely with utilities on implementation.
Third, McCarthy starkly emphasized the new rules for new plants, which effectively mandate CCS, do not mean that rules for existing plants (to be proposed in June 2014) will include CCS. She said the rules would certainly be different and take into account the fact that existing plants were not designed around CCS. McCarthy emphasized that the EPA will go on a listening tour this year to understand industry's obstacles to implementing the new power plant rules and their concerns for next year's existing plant rules.
Further reading:
In an effort to provide you with comprehensive information on the new rules, we've gathered the best resources from across the internet:
- Live coverage of the announcement - Utility Dive
- Full transcript and video of the announcement - Utility Dive
- EPA Proposes Carbon Pollution Standards for New Power Plants - EPA press release
- Proposed Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units - EPA
- Moving Forward On the Climate Action Plan - EPA fact sheet
- Details About the Proposal for New Sources - EPA fact sheet
- Regulatory Impact Analysis for the Proposed Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions for New Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units - EPA
- Everything you need to know about the EPA's carbon limits for new power plants - Washington Post WonkBlog
- Will coal survive the EPA's new carbon rules? - Washington Post WonkBlog
- EPA Rules Could Hurry Sunset For U.S. Coal - Forbes
Reactions to new rules:
From big-name politicians and utilities to energy reporters and policy analysts, here's a look at some of the most interesting reactions to the new rules on Twitter:
Proposed Carbon Pollution Standards for New Power Plants signed by @GinaEPA #ActOnClimate https://t.co/ZmwyduL9vB
— U.S. EPA (@EPA) September 20, 2013
My statement on new @EPA draft rule, one of many ways President Obama is committed to #ActOnClimate: http://t.co/97AzE1FXtq
— Ernest Moniz (@ErnestMoniz) September 20, 2013
Today @GinaEPA announces the first ever limits on carbon pollution from future power plants. Read more: http://t.co/WwHMVudZx2 #ActOnClimate
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) September 20, 2013
If these regulations go into effect, American jobs will be lost, electricity prices will soar, and economic uncertainty will grow.
— Senator Joe Manchin (@Sen_JoeManchin) September 20, 2013
We're supporting the EPA's carbon standard for power plants to protect the planet now: http://t.co/L05W2Zm5Uc #ActionClimate
— National Grid US (@nationalgridus) September 20, 2013
.@EPA Admin. Gina McCarthy's effort to set carbon pollution standards for new power plants is a critical step forward http://t.co/5YzmjkZ6UA
— Mike Bloomberg (@MikeBloomberg) September 20, 2013
EPA says it's ready to start finalizing CO2 standards for new power plants. Not much new coal being built anyway: http://t.co/J0Zq0yhEvn
— Stephen Lacey (@Stphn_Lacey) September 20, 2013
Today's EPA announcement is an important step forward for our nation and our planet. My full statement here: http://t.co/duYFOWduYM
— Al Gore (@algore) September 20, 2013
As @EPA unveils historic new #climate regs today,re-upping my explainer on why they will be so legally vulnerable: http://t.co/zgvRx7wgNO
— Coral Davenport (@CoralMDavenport) September 20, 2013
When @epagov sets rules for *old* coal fired power plants (next year) is when we will see if there's a "war on coal." Or not.
— David Biello (@dbiello) September 20, 2013
