Company: WELPM
Filing Date: 2025-08-01
Form Type: 10-Q
Source: 0000107815-25-000204
Chunk: 126

Company: WISCONSIN ELECTRIC POWER CO
Filing Date: 2025-08-01
Form: 10-Q
Item: Part I, Item 8
Chunk 126
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1 and after 2031, the applicable standard is dependent upon the unit's retirement date. Coal-fired units that are planned to refuel to natural gas-fired units must convert to natural gas and no longer retain the capability to burn coal by the end of 2029. For new combined cycle natural gas plants above a 40% capacity factor, the rule is dependent upon the implementation of carbon capture by the end of 2031. For new simple cycle natural gas-fired combustion turbines, there are no applicable limits as long as the capacity factor is less than 20%. Our Weston RICE units are not affected under the rule because the rule excludes RICE units that are less than 25 MWs. Numerous parties have challenged the GHG Power Plant Rule through litigation pending in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.In March 2024, the EPA announced it had removed regulations on existing natural gas combustion turbines from the rule. At that time, the EPA indicated it would work on new rulemaking phases, focusing on CO2 emissions, as well as NOx and hazardous air pollutants (formaldehyde) emissions. In November 2024, the EPA released the first proposed rule of the three rule "packages" to address NOx emissions from existing combustion turbines. The proposed rule for turbines that operate at a greater than 20% capacity factor will require more stringent NOx limits and control requirements for new, modified, or reconstructed turbines. For turbines that operate at a capacity of 20% or lower, less restrictive standards and the use of combustion controls would apply. We currently believe our existing combined-cycle natural gas facilities would be positioned to comply with the proposed rule if finalized in its current form. See the Federal Deregulatory Actions discussion above for more information regarding potential deregulatory actions regarding this rule.In June 2025, the EPA announced a proposed rule that contains co-proposals for addressing the GHG Power Plant Rule. The lead proposal would exclude the power sector from the GHG regulation on the grounds that it does not "significantly" contribute to dangerous air pollution. A secondary proposal would eliminate the carbon capture and sequestration/storage and other requirements from the GHG Power Plant Rule. By issuing co-proposals, the EPA is providing public notice of two very different potential regulatory paths. Based on the comments received, the EPA may choose to finalize either approach.In April 2024, the EPA issued its final Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule, 40 Code of Federal Regulations Part 98, which includes updates to the global