{ "id": "R43652", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "number": "R43652", "active": false, "source": "EveryCRSReport.com, University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "versions": [ { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 435773, "date": "2014-10-22", "retrieved": "2016-04-06T22:52:55.814231", "title": "State CO2 Emission Rate Goals in EPA\u2019s Proposed Rule for Existing Power Plants ", "summary": "On June 18, 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a proposed rulemaking that would establish guidelines for states to use when developing plans that address carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired electric generating units. The proposal creates CO2 emission rate goals\u2014measured in pounds of CO2 emissions per megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity generation\u2014for each state to achieve by 2030 and an interim goal to be achieved \u201con average\u201d between 2020 and 2029. EPA estimates that if the states achieve their individual emission rate goals in 2030, the CO2 emissions from the electric power sector in the United States would be reduced by 30% compared to 2005 levels.\nThis report discusses the methodology EPA used to establish state-specific CO2 emission rate goals that apply to states\u2019 overall electricity generation portfolio.\nThe emission rate goals do not apply directly to individual emission sources. EPA established the emission rate goals by first determining each state\u2019s 2012 emission rate baseline, which is generally a function of each state\u2019s portfolio of electricity generation in 2012. The resulting baselines in each state vary considerably, reflecting, among other things, the different energy sources used to generate electricity in each state.\nTo establish the emission rate goals, EPA applied four \u201cbuilding blocks\u201d to the state baselines. The four building blocks involve estimates of various opportunities for states to decrease their emission rates:\nBuilding block 1: coal-fired power plant efficiency improvements;\nBuilding block 2: natural gas combined cycle displacement (NGCC) of more carbon-intensive sources, particularly coal; \nBuilding block 3: increased use of renewable energy and preservation of existing and under construction nuclear power; and\nBuilding block 4: energy efficiency improvements. \nBuilding blocks 1 and 2 directly affect the CO2 emission rate at affected EGUs by factoring in EGU efficiency improvements and opportunities to switch from high- to low-carbon power generation. In contrast, building blocks 3 and 4 involve so-called \u201coutside the fence\u201d opportunities that do not directly apply to electricity generation at affected EGUs.\nThe building blocks affect each state\u2019s emission rate in different ways, depending on each state\u2019s specific circumstances. On average, block 1 has the smallest average impact, decreasing state emission rate goals (compared to 2012 baselines) by a range of 0% to 6%. \nBuilding block 2, on average, lowers rates by 13%, with a range of impacts from 0% to 38% (compared to baseline). The largest rate changes are seen in states that have both coal-fired EGUs and under-utilized NGCC plants. The smallest rate impacts are in states without any NGCC units and states that already have relatively high NGCC utilization rates.\nThe under construction nuclear component of building block 3 only affects rates in three states, but its rate impacts are considerable. An amount of at-risk nuclear generation was included in the 2012 baseline rates, lowering some state baselines by as much as 7%.\nThe renewable energy component of block 3, on average, reduces emission rate baselines by 9%, with a range from 2% to 33%. This block has a greater impact in states that use renewable energy (not counting hydroelectric power) to generate a substantial percentage of their total electricity.\nBuilding block 4 reduces rates, on average, by 13%, with a range of impacts between 4% and 37%. This range is a result of several factors, including (1) the contribution of in-state electricity generation that comes from hydroelectric power or nuclear power; and (2) whether the state is a net importer or net exporter of electricity.\nThe results of applying the four building blocks do not require or predict a particular outcome in a state\u2019s electricity generation profile. The emission rates are a function of EPA\u2019s specific emission rate methodology. States may choose to meet emission rate goals by focusing on one or more of the building block strategies or through alternative approaches.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/R43652", "sha1": "0e5860fecce1d41c76c101339aced3e5f8f73009", "filename": "files/20141022_R43652_0e5860fecce1d41c76c101339aced3e5f8f73009.html", "images": null }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R43652", "sha1": "875f68c26eafcc9c41b6dc23748d244d9bc39249", "filename": "files/20141022_R43652_875f68c26eafcc9c41b6dc23748d244d9bc39249.pdf", "images": null } ], "topics": [] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc462645/", "id": "R43652_2014Jul21", "date": "2014-07-21", "retrieved": "2014-12-05T09:57:41", "title": "State CO2 Emission Rate Goals in EPA's Proposed Rule for Existing Power Plants", "summary": "This report discusses the methodology EPA used to establish state-specific CO2 emission rate goals that apply to states' overall electricity generation portfolio.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20140721_R43652_8f2a41ef36391626aa8b17203af3e9ab461d9c72.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20140721_R43652_8f2a41ef36391626aa8b17203af3e9ab461d9c72.html" } ], "topics": [ { "source": "LIV", "id": "Air pollution control", "name": "Air pollution control" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Environmental protection", "name": "Environmental protection" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Carbon dioxide", "name": "Carbon dioxide" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Motor vehicle pollution control", "name": "Motor vehicle pollution control" } ] } ], "topics": [] }