Coal - Energy Policy Analysis: A Conceptual Framework - page 29

Figure 2.3 Coal-Fired Power Plant

Boiler
(furnace)

Turbine

Steam

Transmission
Lines

Coal

Water Generator

Transformer

River

Condenser

Condenser Cooling Water

Source: Tennessee Valley Authority 2011.

dioxide, ozone, and trace elements such as mercury, asbestos and beryllium; degradation of water
quality; concentrations of hazardous solid waste; depletion of natural resources; and consumption
of capital and energy.

REGULATORY CONTROLS

Before national legislation addressing air pollution was enacted in 1955, regulation of air contami-
nants was the responsibility of state and local governments (Davies and Davies 1975). Prior to
enactment of the Clean Air Act of 1970, there were no legally enforceable national requirements
for air pollution control at coal-fired power plants in the United States (Kneese and Schultz 1975).
Few coal-fired generating units built before 1970 utilized such equipment, and uncontrolled air
emissions were the norm. The Clean Air Act of 1970 established for the first time meaningful
sanctions for violation of national primary and secondary ambient air quality standards designed
to protect public health and property; the act also established performance standards for new
stationary sources (84 Statutes at Large §§ 1679-1686). These provisions effectively required
owners of coal-fired generating units constructed thereafter to include the capital and operating
costs of air pollution control equipment in their investment plans. More stringent requirements
were imposed by provisions in the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977, designed to prevent fur-
ther deterioration of air quality in pristine areas (91 Statutes at Large §§ 731-740), and the Clean
Air Act Amendments of 1990, regulating the precursors of acid rain (104 Statutes at Large §§
2584-2645; 42 U.S. Code §§ 7401-7671q). Consequently, all generating units in the United States
built since 1978 and many of those built earlier are equipped to handle combustion by-products
with exhaust stack gas cleaning equipment.