EPA's Power Sector Carbon Pollution Standards

In April 2018, NC DEQ submitted the following comments on the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to repeal the Clean Power Plan.

• Comments on Proposed Rulemaking – Repeal of Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units - April 26, 2018

In December 2017, EPA issued an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) to gather information from the public about a potential future rulemaking to limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from electric utility generating units (EGUs).

• NCDEQ Comments on EPA’s Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: State Guidelines for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Existing Electric Utility Generating Units – February 26, 2018

In October 2017, EPA proposed to repeal the Clean Power Plan. EPA is accepting comment on the proposal until April 26, 2018.

• Electric Utility Generating Units: Repealing the Clean Power Plan: Proposal

In January 2016 following public hearings, a hearing officers’ report on the adoption of proposed rules to implement the Clean Power Plan was prepared and scheduled to be presented to the EMC at a February 16, 2016, special called meeting. Due to the February 9, 2016 U.S. Supreme Court decision staying the federal Clean Power Plan, the item was removed from the EMC special meeting agenda. The in-depth report (13,058 pages) prepared for that meeting is available from the Rules in the Hearing Process page.

• NCDAQ's proposed 111(d) rule package - October 23, 2015

In June 2016, EPA proposed the Clean Energy Incentive Program (CEIP) Design Details. The CEIP is an early action program under the Clean Power Plan that creates incentives to reduce carbon dioxide emissions at power plants and beyond power plants in the two years prior to the start of the CPP.

• NCDEQ Comments on EPA’s Proposed Clean Energy Incentive Program Design Details

In August 2015, the United States Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") finalized greenhouse gas ("GHG") emission guidelines for existing fossil fuel-fired electric generating units ("EGUs"). The final guidelines can be found here. Additionally, EPA proposed a federal plan and model rules

• NCDEQ Comments on EPA’s Proposed Federal Plan Requirements for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Electric Generating Units and Model Trading Rules

The United States Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA"), in response to the President's June 2013 memorandum "Power Sector Carbon Pollution Standards," is developing greenhouse gas ("GHG") emission standards for fossil fuel-fired electric generating units ("EGUs"). Specifically, the EPA is developing Clean Air Act ("CAA") §111 emission standards for new EGUs and emission guidelines for existing units.

• NCDENR Comments on EPA's Proposed Rules on Carbon Pollution Standards for the Power Sector, Section 111(d), Dec. 1, 2014 (Cover Letter)
  • NCDENR Comments on EPA's Proposed Rules on Carbon Pollution Standards for the Power Sector, Section 111(d), Appendix A
  • NCDENR Comments on EPA's Proposed Rules on Carbon Pollution Standards for the Power Sector, Section 111(d), Appendix B
  • NCDENR Comments on EPA's Proposed Rules on Carbon Pollution Standards for the Power Sector, Section 111(d), Appendix C  
• NCDENR's Comments on EPA's Proposed Standards Under §111(b) for Reconstructed and Modified Sources, October 2014
• North Carolina's Comments on EPA's Proposed GHG New Source Performance Standards, May 2014

In June 2014, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed new guidelines for its Clean Power Plan aimed at reducing carbon emissions from power plants. According to EPA, the guidelines would help cut national carbon emissions from electric generating units by about 30 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. The EPA plans to adopt final guidelines by June 2015, with public hearings and other opportunities for public input during the interim period.

• Governors letter to President Obama on concerns about proposed carbon dioxide standards
• North Carolina requests extension of deadline for comments on EPA carbon rules, August 2014
• NCDENR Comments on EPA's Proposed Rules Under §111(d), July 2014
• Letter from Gov. Pat McCrory and other governors to President Barack Obama on greenhouse gas emissions proposal, June 2014
• Multi-State Environmental Commissioners Letter on Section 111(d) Guidelines, May 2014
• North Carolina Comments on the Social Cost of Carbon, February 2014
• North Carolina's Section 111(d) Principles Document, January 2014