View Rule

On December 20, 2018, the EPA proposed revised Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions From New, Modified, and Reconstructed Stationary Sources: Electric Generating Units, found at 40 CFR Part 60, subpart TTTT. The EPA proposed to amend the previous determination that the best system of emission reduction (BSER) for newly constructed coal-fired steam generating units (i.e., EGUs) is partial carbon capture and storage. Instead, the proposed revised BSER for this source category is the most efficient demonstrated steam cycle (e.g., supercritical steam conditions for large units and subcritical steam conditions for small units) in combination with the best operating practices. The EPA is currently working on finalizing the proposal.

Statement of Need:

Executive Order 13783 directed the EPA to review Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units, to determine if the requirements unduly burden the development of domestic energy resources beyond the degree necessary to protect the public interest or otherwise comply with the law. This review is to determine if a greenhouse gas emissions standard based on the use of partial carbon capture and storage is an undue burden on the development of potential new coal-fired electric generating units.

Summary of the Legal Basis:

Section 111(b) of the Clean Air Act provides authority for EPA to promulgate New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for new and modified sources.

Alternatives:

The alternative for the Administrator's decision on the review of the GHG NSPS for EGUs is whether carbon capture and storage (CCS) qualifies as the best system of emissions reduction (BSER) for coal-fired EGUs. If CCS is determined to not qualify as the BSER, the Administrator must determine what technology qualifies as the BSER.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits:

The EPA is not projecting that any sources will be subject to the amended standards. Therefore, the agency is not projecting any costs or benefits.

Risks:

No risk assessment was done since this action involves emissions of greenhouse gas.