Topic: power plants

Projected Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions from the Power Sector under the Clean Energy Standard Act of 2012, S. 2146

Nicholas Bianco — Tue, 08 May 2012 14:50:26 -0400

This analysis provides an assessment of the projected power sector greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions from S. 2146, the Clean Energy Standard Act of 2012 (CESA), introduced by Senator Bingaman and eight cosponsors on March 1, 2012. CESA establishes a standard for clean energy generation in the United States through 2035. In 2035 covered utilities must supply 84 percent of their total annual sales of electricity from clean sources. CESA defines “clean” on the basis of a generator’s greenhouse gas emissions intensity, and thus can drive significant reductions in emissions.

Download the Complete Analysis (PDF, 646 Kb) (includes footnotes and references)
More WRI Bill Analysis

Findings

CESA can reduce GHG emissions from the power sector approximately 12-18 percent (295-428 million metric tons CO2e) below 2005 levels in 2020 and 49-56 percent (1,194-1,357 mmtCO2e) below 2005 levels in 2035, assuming that affected utilities meet their obligations under the program by generating electricity from clean sources or purchasing credits from other clean sources. The figure also compares the projected reductions from CESA to the power sector reductions that were predicted to occur under the American Clean Energy Security Act (ACESA, or Waxman-Markey), which is the only comprehensive climate bill to pass either house of Congress and would have reduced total U.S. GHG emissions (i.e., economy-wide) 17 percent below 2005 levels in 2020.
The GHG reductions from CESA are significant, but not sufficient to reduce U.S. economy-wide GHG emissions 17 percent below 2005 levels in 2020 without ambitious greenhouse gas abatement measures from other sectors.

ADVISORY: Press Teleconference: Launch of Online Almanac of U.S. Midwest Energy

James Anderson — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 10:08:02 -0400

National and regional energy experts will team up to launch the Power Almanac of the American Midwest, a dynamic online platform to support decision-makers and analysts in the region. Drawing on more than 50 sources, the Power Almanac will be the most comprehensive online resource for energy data in the Midwest.

The Power Almanac of the American Midwest can now be found online: www.wri.org/midwest-almanac

On the call, experts will discuss the energy challenges in the region and explain how the Power Almanac can assist in responding to a range of regional and state-level energy initiatives.

The Midwest is home to a diverse mix of energy resources, including significant generation from coal, natural gas, and nuclear power, as well as a growing renewable energy sector. However, this mix is subject to change with shifting relative costs, aging power plants, and new state and federal standards.

States included in the Power Almanac are Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

WHAT

Press call to launch the online Power Almanac of the American Midwest

WHO

Nicholas Bianco, Senior Associate, World Resources Institute

Bill Grant, Deputy Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Commerce

Rolf Nordstrom, Executive Director, Great Plains Institute

Doug Scott, Chairman, Illinois Commerce Commission

The presentations will be followed by a Q&A session.

WHEN

Thursday, April 26, 2012

11:00 a.m. EDT//10:00 a.m. CDT

CALL-IN

(888) 455-0064 (Toll Free); or

(212) 519-0819 (U.S. and International)

Access Code: WRI

For more information, contact: Michael Oko; email: moko@wri.org; tel. (202) 729-7684; or Mike Niles; email: nmiles@gpisd.net; tel. (612) 278-7159

Summary of EPA Proposed Performance Standards for Power Plant GHG Emissions

Nicholas Bianco — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 10:22:30 -0400

This summary provides an overview of EPA’s proposed New Source Performance Standard (NSPS) for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from new power plants under Section 111 of the Clean Air Act. It was drafted in partnership with the Pace Energy and Climate Center.

On June 21, 2012, WRI submitted an official comment to the EPA on its proposed NSPS. Read the full comment below.

Download the Complete Summary (PDF, 221 Kb)
Download the Full NSPS Comment

STATEMENT: EPA Proposes First-Ever Standards to Limit Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Power Plants

Michael Oko — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 11:20:38 -0400

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today introduced standards to limit greenhouse gas emissions for new power plants. These standards, called New Source Performance Standards, would limit emissions from new power plants to no more than 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per megawatt of electricity produced. This action is based the EPA’s authority under the Clean Air Act, which was passed with bi-partisan support in Congress and was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Following is a statement by Kevin Kennedy, U.S. Climate Director, World Resources Institute:

“For the first time, EPA has proposed standards to reduce harmful carbon pollution from power plants. The power sector produces one-third of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, and it’s critical to reduce these emissions if we’re going to prevent the worst impacts of climate change.

“These standards will ensure that any new power plants will be designed to protect people’s health and the planet. A quarter of the nation’s fossil fuel-based generation capacity is more than 40 years old, and many plants are approaching retirement. Any plants built today would likely be standing in 2050 and beyond, making strong rules for new plants an important part of the picture.

“We commend EPA for this step to advance the Administration’s commitment to reduce U.S. emissions by 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020. Today’s announcement follows the Administration’s introduction of historic standards for light-duty vehicles in November 2011.

“Moving forward, it will be important for EPA to address carbon emissions for existing power plants as well. Existing plants represent a significant opportunity to improve efficiency and reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. We can achieve these reductions at low cost while providing power plants flexibility in complying with them.”

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For more background see Nicholas Bianco’s post, “What to Watch as EPA Releases Greenhouse Gas Requirements for the Power Sector.”

Power Almanac of the American Midwest

Kevin Lustig — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 14:07:40 -0400