In 1990, the United States Congress granted the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the right to regulate air pollution created by power plants. However, the EPA still had not implemented nationwide regulations which remedied many of the worst polluters as of 2000 despite indicating major health and environmental issues surrounding the problem. Now, nearly twelve years later the agency is implementing new rules that will significantly reduce air pollution.
The power plants being impacted by the new regulations are those using coal power generation. 1,400 such power plants exist across the U.S. and approximately forty percent do not have up to date pollution control methods in place. The most often cited reason for not implementing cleaner air controls is cost. However, power plants are one of the greatest sources of air pollution nationally.
Now hundreds of these coal-fired plants will be required to install equipment to reduce air pollution within a three-year time period, with an additional year if utilities need the time. It is estimated by the EPA that utility companies which own the power plants will need to spend approximately $9.6 billion by the year 2016 to implement the new rules.
According to the EPA, implementing these new standards for the power plants will greatly reduce certain types of air pollution. Particular emissions from burning coal are expected to significantly decrease, such as mercury, by the 2016 deadline. Upwards of a ninety percent decrease in mercury is expected, while acidic gases will likely decrease by eighty-eight percent. Sulfur dioxide, a component of soot, is expected to be reduced by forty-one percent.
The greatest concern, aside from the cost, according to opponents is the cost expected to be passed on to consumers. A study which was sponsored by the utility industry found that areas with large numbers of coal plants may have an increase in prices of nineteen percent. However, the EPA estimates a much lower potential rise in electricity costs, at only about three percent.
Despite the controversy, many point to the benefits of the new air pollution regulations, largely in healthcare. Between $37 billion and $90 billion may be reduced yearly due to less air pollutants by power plants, according to the EPA.
