EPA to Set Modest Pace for Greenhouse Gas Standards
Agency stresses flexibility and public input in developing
cost-effective and protective GHG standards for largest emitters
WASHINGTON
– The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued its plan for
establishing greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution standards under the Clean
Air Act in 2011. The agency
looked at a number of sectors and is moving forward on GHG standards for
fossil fuel power plants and petroleum refineries—two of the largest
industrial sources, representing nearly 40 percent of the GHG pollution
in the United States. The schedule issued in today’s agreements provides
a clear path forward for these sectors and is part of EPA’s common-sense
approach to addressing GHGs from the largest industrial pollution
sources.
“We are following through on our commitment to proceed in a measured and
careful way to reduce GHG pollution that threatens the health and
welfare of Americans, and contributes to climate change,” Administrator
Lisa Jackson said. “These
standards will help American companies attract private investment to the
clean energy upgrades that make our companies more competitive and
create good jobs here at home.”
Several states, local governments and environmental organizations sued
EPA over the agency’s failure to update the pollution standards for
fossil fuel power plants and petroleum refineries, two of the largest
source categories of GHG pollution in the United States. Under today’s
agreement, EPA will propose standards for power plants in July 2011 and
for refineries in December 2011 and will issue final standards in May
2012 and November 2012, respectively.
This schedule will allow the agency to host listening sessions with the
business community, states and other stakeholders in early 2011, well
before the rulemaking process begins, as well as to solicit additional
feedback during the routine notice and comment period. Together this
feedback will lead to smart, cost-effective and protective standards
that reflect the latest and best information.
The Clean Air Act requires EPA to set industry-specific standards for
new sources that emit significant quantities of harmful pollutants.
These standards, called New Source Performance Standards (NSPS), set the
level of pollution new facilities may emit and address air pollution
from existing facilities. The Act allows flexible and innovative
approaches that take into account cost, health and environmental
impacts, and energy requirements. EPA must also periodically update
these standards to reflect improvements in control technologies.
Earlier this year, EPA issued a common-sense approach to GHG permitting
for the largest industrial sources. This approach, the GHG permitting
guidelines issued in November, and these standards will give power
plants and refineries a clear and sensible path for addressing GHG
pollution.
EPA will accept public comment on these two agreements for 30 days
following publication of notice in the Federal Register.
More information:
http://www.epa.gov/airquality/ghgsettlement.html
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