Politicizing the Environmental Debate, 2000–2017 277
in CO2 emissions by 2030, while offering states
and utilities substantial flexibility and latitude
in achieving these reductions. In this final rule,
the EPA is establishing a CO2 emission perfor-
mance rate for each of two subcategories of
fossil fuel-fired EGUs – fossil fuel-fired electric
steam generating units and stationary combus-
tion turbines – that expresses the “best system
of emissions reduction... adequately demon-
strated” (BSER) for CO2 from the power sector.- Purpose of this rule
The purpose of this rule is to protect human
health and the environment by reducing CO2
emissions from fossil fuel-fired power plants
in the U.S. These plants are by far the largest
domestic stationary source of emissions of CO2,
the most prevalent of the group of air pollutant
GHGs that the EPA has determined endangers
public health and welfare through its contri-
bution to climate change. This rule establishes
for the first time emission guidelines for exist-
ing power plants. These guidelines will lead to
significant reductions in CO2 emissions, result
in cleaner generation from the existing power
plant fleet, and support continued investments
by the industry in cleaner power generation to
ensure reliable, affordable electricity now and
into the future. Concurrent with this action, the
EPA is also issuing a final rule that establishes
CO2 emission standards of performance for
new, modified, and reconstructed power plants.
Together, these rules will reduce CO2 emissions
by a substantial amount while ensuring that the
utility power sector in the U.S. can continue to
supply reliable and affordable electricity to all
Americans using a diverse fuel supply. As with
past EPA rules addressing air pollution from the
utility power sector, these guidelines have been
designed with a clear recognition of the unique
features of this sector. Specifically, the agency
recognizes that utilities provide an essential pub-
lic service and are regulated and managed in
ways unlike any other industrial activity. In pro-
viding assurances that the emission reductions
to reduce CO2 emissions from the utility power
sector.
A. Executive Summary
- Introduction
This final rule is a significant step forward
in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
in the U.S. In this action, the EPA is establish-
ing for the first time GHG emission guidelines
for existing power plants. These final emission
guidelines, which rely in large part on already
clearly emerging growth in clean energy inno-
vation, development and deployment, will lead
to significant carbon dioxide (CO2) emission
reductions from the utility power sector that will
help protect human health and the environment
from the impacts of climate change. This rule
establishes, at the same time, the foundation for
longer term GHG emission reduction strategies
necessary to address climate change and, in so
doing, confirms the international leadership of
the U.S. in the global effort to address climate
change. In this final rule, we have taken care to
ensure that achievement of the required emission
reductions will not compromise the reliability of
our electric system, or the affordability of elec-
tricity for consumers. This final rule is the result
of unprecedented outreach and engagement
with states, tribes, utilities, and other stakehold-
ers, with stakeholders providing more than 4.3
million comments on the proposed rule. In this
final rule, we have addressed the comments and
concerns of states and other stakeholders while
staying consistent with the law. As a result, we
have followed through on our commitment to
issue a plan that is fair, flexible and relies on the
accelerating transition to cleaner power genera-
tion that is already well underway in the utility
power sector. Under the authority of Clean Air
Act (CAA) section 111(d), the EPA is establishing
CO2 emission guidelines for existing fossil fuel-
fired electric generating units (EGUs) – the Clean
Power Plan. These final guidelines, when fully
implemented, will achieve significant reductions