Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Executive Branch actions, or the quantitative GHG reductions that should be
achieved.
Cut Carbon Pollution
GHG Standards for Electricity Generation
The centerpiece of the President's announcement arguably is a
Presidential Memorandum,
9
also issued June 25, that directs EPA to issue two
types of rules to curtail carbon dioxide emissions from new and existing power
plants before the end of his term.
10
Specifically, the Presidential Memorandum
first instructs EPA to issue, as planned, a new proposal under the Clean Air
Act (CAA), by September 20, 2013, for GHG emissions from newly
constructed electric generating units (EGU), and to issue the final rule ―in a
timely fashion‖ after comments. Second, and most significantly, the
Presidential Memorandum directs EPA also to issue standards, regulations, or
guidelines for CO
2
emissions applicable to modified, reconstructed and
existing power plants, building on States' efforts to reduce power plant
emissions.
The Memorandum included neither specific levels of EGU emissions
performance nor target-sectoral GHG reductions. The Memorandum requests
the proposed rules for existing EGU by June 1, 2014, and final rules by June 1,
2015. Further, the Memorandum requests that the guidelines require States to
submit to EPA their implementation plans, required under §111(d) of the
CAA,
and
their
implementing
regulations
by
June
30,
2016.
The
Memorandum states that:
states and non-governmental leaders should be directly engaged in the
process;
regulations and guidelines should be tailored to reduce costs;
approaches
should
allow
use
of
market-based
instruments,
performance standards and other flexibilities;
standards should be consistent with maintaining reliable and
affordable power; and
EPA should work with states and other agencies to promote electricity
from cleaner and more efficient technologies, including appliance
efficiencies.
