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The US EPA announced that it will establish New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for CO2 emissions from power plants and refineries beginning in 2012. The schedule was hashed out by EPA officials in the context of two lawsuits brought by states and environmental groups seeking to require EPA to set new source standards for greenhouse gases. Under the terns of the settlement agreements, EPA agreed to issue draft standards for power plants by July 26, 2011, with final regulations by May 26, 2012. Refineries will see proposed limits by December 15, 2011, and final regulations by November 15, 2012.
The rules are part of EPA's broader effort to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. Starting on January 2, 2011, the agency will require air quality permits for new and upgraded power plants, factories and refineries that emit at least 75,000 metric tons of CO2 per year. To obtain a permit, sources will have to show they have installed the "best available control technology" to reduce emissions. |
