Update

The US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) has proposed the first comprehensive national system for reporting emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases produced by major sources in the United States.

The rule proposes that suppliers of fossil fuels or industrial greenhouse gases, manufacturers of vehicles and engines, and facilities that emit 25,000 metric tons or more per year of GHG emissions submit annual reports to US EPA. The first annual report would be submitted to US EPA in 2011 for the calendar year 2010, except for vehicle and engine manufacturers, which would begin reporting for model year 2011.

Gases covered by the proposed rule are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFC), perfluorocarbons (PFC), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), and other fluorinated gases including nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) and hydrofluorinated ethers (HFE).

The rule was signed on March 10 and will be published in the Federal Register. Following publication, a public comment period will be open for 60 days. Two public hearings will be held during the comment period.

• EPA Proposes First National Reporting on Greenhouse Gas Emissions. US EPA, 03/10/2009
  • Proposed Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule
  • Proposed Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule Public Hearing. US EPA, April 6-7, 2009, US EPA Potomac Yard Conference Center, Arlington, VA.
  • Proposed Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule Public Hearing. US EPA, April 16, 2009, Sacramento Convention Center, Sacramento, CA.
• Proposed EPA Rule Mandates National Reporting of GHG Emissions. Power News, 03/11/2009

The US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) is proposing to set emission limits for formaldehyde, benzene, acrolein, and other air toxics from certain stationary diesel and gas-fired internal combustion (IC) engines. In 2008, over 1 million of these engines generated electricity, powered equipment, and operated during emergencies at industrial, agricultural, and other facilities. The rule would apply to engines that are:

• Smaller than or equal to 500 hp that were constructed or reconstructed before June 12, 2006; or
• Larger than or equal to 500 hp that were constructed or reconstructed before December 19, 2002.

To meet the proposed emissions requirements, owners and operators of these engines would need to install filters or catalysts to engine exhaust systems. US EPA estimates that this rule would reduce air toxics emissions by 13,000 tons per year, particle pollution by 2,600 tons, and carbon monoxide emissions by 510,000 tons when fully implemented in 2013.

The public comment period will be open for 60 days upon publication in the Federal Register. For more information see:

• Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines: Proposed Area Source Air Toxics Requirements: Fact Sheet. (pdf, 4pp., 25kB)
• Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines: Area Source Air Toxics Requirements: Proposed Rule. (pdf, 160pp., 455kB)

The US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) agreed to reconsider a December 18, 2008 memorandum issued by the Bush administration that directed agency officials not to consider carbon dioxide emissions when weighing applications for new coal power plants. The decision could lead to the potential reversal of the Bush policy that excluded carbon dioxide as a pollutant subject to regulation under the Clean Air Act.

• EPA to Consider Regulating Coal Plant Carbon Emissions. Power News, 02/18/2009
• Letter to Sierra Club Granting Reconsideration. US EPA, 02/17/2009 (pdf, 2pp., 417kB)

US EPA Clean Air Markets Division has created a series of interactive maps that highlight progress of the Acid Rain Program, NOx Budget Trading Program, and Cap and Trade Programs. The files can be viewed in Google Earth™ or other geographic browsers, such as ESRI ArcGIS™ Explorer or NASA World Wind.

US EPA Clean Air Markets Interactive Mapping

A federal appeals court reversed itself on Dec 23, 2008 and temporarily reinstated the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR). In July, the court struck down the rule, saying the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had exceeded its authority in devising a new emissions-trading system to reduce coal-fired power plant pollution, and must rewrite the rule to fix its “fundamental flaws.”

In the most recent decision, the court said that having a flawed rule temporarily in place was better than having no rule at all. The agency must still revise the rule but has no deadline for doing so.

• Text of the Decision. (pdf, 4pp., 26kB)
• Court reinstates CAIR, sends it back to EPA. Power Engineering, December 23,2008

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) has adopted the Scoping Plan for California’s Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32). Development of the plan is a central requirement of AB 32, which has a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 15% over the next 12 years. ARB will now begin developing detailed strategies to implement the recommended measures that must be in place by 2012.

AB 32 Scoping Plan

Pasadena Water & Power (PWP) is developing a 20-year Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) to ensure reliable and environmentally responsible electric service, competitive rates, and energy independence to the residents of Pasadena, CA. The process is taking into account:

• Future energy demand;
• Advances in renewable energy resources, technology, and energy efficiency;
• Conservation; and
• Forecasts of changes in regulatory requirements.

The information available at their Web site offers a detailed look into issues facing electric generation everywhere, and might be of interest to those curious about the challenges ahead for power generation.

Pasadena Water & Power Integrated Resource Plan

South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) has posted a source test protocol for Rule 1110.2. On February 01, 2008, SCAQMD amended Rule 1110.2, which limits emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOC), and carbon monoxide (CO) from gaseous and liquid-fueled stationary and portable engines with rated capacities greater than 50 brake horsepower.

Compliance with this rule is based on SCAQMD standard test methods, or test methods that allow the use of hand-held portable monitors. The protocol has been developed to ensure standardization of test procedures, and includes specifications for test conditions, test methods, test equipment, data collection/reporting, and quality assurance procedures.

Source Test Protocol for the Measurement of Nitrogen Oxides, Volatile Organic Compounds, Carbon Monoxide, and Oxygen from Stationary Engines Subject to South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule 1110.2. November 21, 2008 (pdf, 34pp., 106kB)

For more information, see SCAQMD Rule 1110.2 Support

On November 4, 2008 the US EPA suspended amended regulations on competency requirements for air emission testing bodies (AETB). The rule revisions would have required that stack testers and stack test companies meet certain minimum competency requirements described in ASTM D7036 – 04 by January 1, 2009. The Utility Air Regulatory Group (UARG) filed a Petition for Review primarily claiming that US EPA could not hold utilities responsible for something they cannot control. It is expected that the rule language will be amended, and that the competency requirements will be reinstated at some point in the future.

Stay of the Effectiveness of Requirements for Air Emission Testing Bodies. (pdf, 3 pp. 55kB)

Six New England states and New York last week asked the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) to require Midwestern and Mid-Atlantic coal plants to clean up their smokestack mercury (Hg) emissions. The seven states have claimed that mercury pollution from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, Michigan, and elsewhere, is contaminating the Northeast’s fish and waterways and directly threatening public health and the environment.

Northeast states petition EPA to require coal plant mercury emission reductions. Power News, 11/05/2008