The current administration continues to push for cleaner air.
That means reducing carbon emissions according to the 2009 EPA
ruling that defines carbon dioxide as an air pollutant. It
should be no surprise then, that the New Source Performance
Standards (NSPS) on newly constructed power utilities reduces
allowable carbon emissions. The new emission levels, however,
are below what is technologically feasible for coal burning
plants. This effectively means that no new coal power plant can
be constructed until new technology is developed and
economically feasible. That is estimated to be ten or more years
away. “[I]t is odd that they [the EPA] think it's a good idea to
ban new coal-fired power plants,” says Jeff Holmstead, former
EPA air chief. There are multiple consequences from this ruling.
Whether they are good, bad, or otherwise depends on your
perspective. 1. Increased power demand will have to be satisfied
from alternative fuels. Coal currently provides about half of
all US electricity consumption. 2. Nat