The EPA Program to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Existing Power Plants
Summary . The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a Proposed Rule - Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units, in June 2014. It establishes a goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions from existing electricity generating plants by 30% nationwide by 2030. In order to accomplish this with a great degree of flexibility, state-by-state limits were established, which each state is to achieve after submitting a detailed plan to EPA for review, approval, and verification as the plan is implemented. EPA foresees significant reductions in emission of carbon dioxide, as well as other detrimental pollutants that affect human health from the proposed rule. The costs expected to be incurred in implementing the plans are recovered by the beneficial impacts of the lowered emissions, both climatically (carbon dioxide) and health related. The proposed rule constitutes an important step in achieving Presi...