The debate over climate change has become more intense as of late, due to a new proposal from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Recently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced its first regulation limiting carbon emissions from power plants. The rule signifies one of the most dramatic steps taken by the federal government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Considering one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. can be attributed to existing power plants, it is no surprise that action has been taken. These guidelines look to reduce the effects of carbon pollutants, ensure a healthier environment, and secure a multitude of public health benefits.
The Clean Power Plan Proposal
While levels of other power plant impurities are restricted, currently there are no limits on carbon pollution. The newly proposed Clean Power Plan offers emission guidelines to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 30 percent from existing coal plants by 2030. There are two main components to the Clean Power Plan: state-specific carbon emission reductions from power plants, and guidelines to help states plan and meet their carbon emission reduction goals.
“This proposal is all about flexibility. That’s what makes it ambitious, but achievable,” said EPA Administrator, Gina McCarthy. “For the sake of our families’ health and our kids’ future, we have a moral obligation to act on climate.”
The EPA expects that this new regulation will challenge power plants to be innovative and will predict growth in associated clean technologies. In addition to supporting innovation, the EPA also suggests states and their respective power sectors combine the following options to meet the new guidelines:
- Increase energy efficiency within power plants
- Investment in renewable energy
- Implement power plant upgrades
- Utilize natural gas versus coal
The rule was scheduled to be finalized on June 30, 2015, with state plan submissions due in June 2016.
Carbon Reduction Benefits
The EPA believes the new plan represents a common-sense approach to reducing carbon pollution. In addition to generating and using electricity as efficiently as possible, the agency also seeks to promote greater reliance on power sources that emit less carbon pollution.
The EPA estimates the Clean Power Plan will:
– Diminish carbon emissions from the power sector by 30 percent.
– Reduce particle, nitrogen oxide, and sulfur dioxide pollution by more than 25 percent.
– Avoid up to 6,600 premature deaths, up to 150,000 asthma attacks in children, and up to 490,000 missed work or school days (providing up to $93 billion in climate and public health benefits).
– Lower electricity bills by approximately 8 percent using increased energy efficiency and reduced demand in the electricity system.
Moving Forward
Many facilities have previously implemented emission cuts in their power sectors, making the new guidelines closer to realization in some states. Additionally, the flexibility in using a mix of options is a great way to implement these changes. Power plants are already familiar with implementing upgrades in order to limit pollution emissions, with many successfully employing pollutant reduction systems to reduce nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide emissions.
For example, flue gas desulfurization systems have been established to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions from many power plants nationwide. In addition to lowering emissions, a number of additional benefits have resulted from this innovative technology. Flue gas desulfurization systems generate synthetic gypsum, an environmentally friendly and high-quality product utilized in a number of consumer products, such as drywall and granular fertilizers. By producing and selling synthetic gypsum, this innovative process also generates revenue instead of waste management costs, making it environmentally and economically valuable. A flue gas desulfurization system also prevents pollutant material from ending up in landfills, reduces pollution emissions, and reduces the necessity to mine natural gypsum. Overall, this innovative technology is an excellent example of how cutting energy waste can provide innumerable benefits.
While the example of flue gas desulfurization is only one minor element to lowering pollution emissions from power plants, it is one of the many steps that prove a choice does not have to be made between a healthy economy and healthy environment. For over 60 years, FEECO has demonstrated that economic and environmental choices can work together. Many customers with a wide range of problems and materials have benefited from FEECO’s ability to divert waste from landfills into a usable, revenue generating product. FEECO has also provided extensive solutions to the power generation industry, in the way of highly engineered material handling systems, as well as custom agglomeration systems. For more information on FEECO’s ability to create win-win situations for customers and the environment, contact us today.