US EPA unveils rules to slash CO₂ emissions from power plants

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed new CO₂ pollution standards for coal- and gas-fired power plants. The EPA is proposing technology-based standards that include strengthening current standards for newly built fossil fuel-fired stationary combustion turbines (usually gas-fired), establishing emission guidelines for states to limit CO₂ pollution from existing fossil fuel-fired steam generating units (including gas-, oil-, and coal-fired power units), and establishing emission guidelines for frequently used existing fossil fuel-fired stationary combustion turbines (mostly gas-fired).

Specifically, the new rules will require new and existing gas-fired power plants, excepting those that only run part-time, to capture 90% of their emissions by 2035; existing coal plants that operators plan to keep in operation in 2040 would have to capture 90% of their emissions by 2030. Gas-fired power plants have the option of following an alternative pathway for compliance, which involves gradually incorporating low-carbon hydrogen co-firing starting in 2032 and increasing it to a 96% hydrogen blend by 2038.

This new rules may be insufficient to deliver the current administration’s goal of 100% clean energy by 2035. Indeed, the proposal for coal and new natural gas power plants is forecasted to avoid up to 617 MtCO₂ through 2042. However, substantial emissions reductions will likely come from retirements of power plants rather than retrofits.