The Earth's finite energy resources, such as coal, oil, natural gas, and uranium, are limited and must be collected and refined for use. In Post Falls, Idaho, these non-renewable technologies are being employed to generate electricity and natural gas. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is aware that steam generating units powered by natural gas and oil could become more efficient over time due to changes in the electricity sector. To this end, the EPA has proposed definitions for the subcategories of existing fossil-fueled steam generating units based on the type and quantity of fossil fuel used in the unit.
Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs) are produced for every megawatt-hour of low-GHG generation and offer a measurable, auditable, and verifiable approach to determining the GHG emissions associated with energy used to produce low-GHG hydrogen. The EPA is not proposing a BSER or degree of emission limitation for these units in this action. The EPA proposes that the owners or operators of affected EGUs publish on their websites the designations of their subcategories and their compliance schedules, including for increases in progress and milestones, leading to full compliance with the applicable performance standards. Additionally, emissions data and other information necessary to demonstrate compliance with a performance standard should be published on the carbon pollution regulations website for affected EGUs in a timely manner. If all 37 GW of facilities that would face the requirements of this proposal installed modernization of carbon capture and storage, the reduction in available capacity would be approximately 4.3 GW, or less than 1% of the total available natural gas capacity modeled in 2035.
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