May 29, 2014 | By Barbara Vergetis Lundin

Next week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to propose the first-ever national Carbon Pollution Standards for new and existing power plants, under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act. Once finalized, these emission guidelines will establish quantitative environmental performance benchmarks for states to meet in implementing performance standards to reduce carbon pollution from existing power plants.

Credit: Environmental Defense Fund

The Environmental Defense Fund has provided a snapshot of how this dynamic federal-state collaboration works.

First, EPA identifies the "best system of emission reduction" to address carbon pollution from existing power plants, taking into account the emission reductions that can be achieved, cost, energy requirements, and impacts on other health and environmental outcomes. EPA then identifies the emission reductions achievable if this "best system" is deployed. EPA assembles this information in standards that are subject to public notice and comment.

Next, states craft plans to implement and enforce standards of performance for existing power plants located within their borders. States have considerable flexibility to tailor these plans to the characteristics and needs of their state -- they do not need to use the "best system of emission reduction" identified by EPA, provided they achieve equivalent reductions in pollution. States submit these plans, which are due June 30, 2016, to EPA for review.

Finally, EPA reviews each state plan to evaluate whether it achieves at least equivalent emission reductions to those achievable using the "best system of emission reduction" and meets other criteria, including for enforceability.

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