Cleaning up Power Plants 

to Address Climate Change

EPA’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from 

the electricity sector
CLIMATE CHANGE CONTEXT

GREENHOUSE GASES (GHG)

SOURCES OF GHG

EPA’S CLEAN POWER PLAN

WHAT WE CAN DO
Observed U.S. Temperature Change

1991-2012 compared to 1901-1960 average, 1951-1980 average for Alaska and Hawaii

Source: NOAA NCDC / CICS-NC
Source: NOAA

Source: NOAA

The King Tide

Boston | Oct 27 2011
Source: NOAA
Winter 2015 in Boston
GREENHOUSE GASES

2009 Endangerment Finding: 

“greenhouse gases in the atmosphere threaten public 

health and welfare of current and future generations”
Source: USGCRP
Carbon Dioxide 

(CO2), 82%

Methane 

(CH4), 9%

Nitrous Oxide 

(N2O), 6%

Flurinated 

Gases, 3%

U.S. Greenhouse Gas Pollution in 2012

Data Source: EPA

Source: NOAA, NASA

How do power plants contribute 

greenhouse gases?

GHGs + other pollutants

Carbon Intensity = lbs of CO2/MWh

Different fuels 

emit different 

amounts of CO2 

when combusted

Background Image Source: Tennessee Valley Authority

Energy output = Megawatt hours
Carbon Emissions Intensity

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

Coal Residual Oil Natural Gas Nuclear Solar Wind

Average CO2 Emissions Rates (lbs

CO2

/MWh)

Fuel Type

2013 Average CO2 Emissions Rates (lbs CO2/MWh)

Note: Average emissions rates are rounded to the nearest hundred. 

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration. http://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.cfm?id=74&t=11

Pounds of Carbon Dioxide (lbs CO2)

Megawatt Hour (MWh) of Electricity Produced
States and Communities with 

Programs That Reduce Carbon Pollution

State programs that reduce carbon include 

carbon cap and trade programs and energy 

efficiency and renewable energy standards 

or goals. 15
Building Block

1. Make fossil fuel-fired

power plants more 

efficient

2. Use lower-emitting 

power sources more

3. Build more zero/lowemitting energy sources

4. Use electricity more 

efficiently

16

Background Image Source: Tennessee Valley Authority
EPA’s Clean Power Plan, Existing Sources: 

State Performance Goals (lbs CO2/MWh)

State 2012 Fossil 

Emission Rate1

Interim Goal (2020 -

2029 average)2

Final Goal (2030 

and thereafter)2

Connecticut 844 597 540

Maine 873 393 378

Massachusetts 1,001 655 576

New Hampshire 1,119 546 486

Rhode Island 918 822 782

17

1 From Goal Computation Technical Support Document, Appendix 5 – 2012 Emissions Rate and Building Block Application

2 From Table 1 to Subpart UUUU of Part 60 – State Rate-Based CO2 Emission Performance Goals, Proposed
Source: RGGI, Inc.

70

75

80

85

90

95

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

CO2 Emissions Budget (million 

short tons)

RGGI Emissions Cap Data Source: RGGI, Inc.

Regional Nine State CO2 Emissions Budget

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)
 6.5 million households and businesses; 

population 14 million

 Approximately 350 generators  Approximately 31,000 MW of total generation 

for 2014

 Over 8,500 miles of transmission lines  13 interconnections to electricity systems in 

New York and Canada

 Approximately 2,100 MW of demand 

resources for 2014

 All-time peak demand of 28,130 MW, set on 

August 2, 2006

 Approximately 500 participants in the 

marketplace (those who generate, buy, sell, 

transport, and use wholesale electricity and 

implement demand resources)

 Market value in 2013:

$8.82 billion total

 $7.49 billion energy market  $1.06 billion capacity market  $0.27 billion ancillary services market

 Approximately $6.5 billion in transmission 

investment since 2002; approximately $4.5 

billion planned

Source: ISO New England

New England 

Regional 

Electric Power 

System
2013 New England Energy Generation Resources

13,598 

42.8%

50,536

45.1%

7,083 

22.3%

959 0.9%

4,624 

14.6%

37,183

33.2%

2,289 7.2% 6,259 5.6%

1,720 5.4%

1,211 1.1%

1,374 4.3%

7,177 6.4%

974 3.1% 6,949 6.2%

1,092 4.6%

920 2.9%

0 %

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100% Percentage

Wind

Other Renewables

Hydro

Pumped storage

Coal

Nuclear

Oil

Natural Gas

31,759 MW 112,040 GWh

97 0.3% 1,766 1.6%

2013 Summer Seasonal Claimed Capacity & Electric Energy Production by Fuel Type

Source: ISO New England 2014 Regional System Plan
New England Expected Future Capacity Mix

Summer Capability Based on 2014 CELT Report & Interconnection Queue as of April 1, 2014

Source: ISO New England 2014 Regional System Plan

13,452 14,128 

17,734 

6,565 6,118 

6,363 

4,641 4,022 

4,022 2,116 

1,041 

1,041 

1,719 

1,719 

2,680 1,769 

2,740 

2,994 

 -

 5,000

 10,000

 15,000

 20,000

 25,000

 30,000

 35,000

1 2 3

Expected Summer Capability (MW)

Year &

Total Capability

Series6

Series5

Series4

Series3

Series2

Series1
When these rules 

are implemented, 

Americans will: 

Source: Whitehouse.gov
23

Electricity bills down 

8% in 2030

$0

$20

$40

$60

$80

$100

$120

1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030

Monthly Residential Electricity Bills (2011$)

Series1 Series2 Series3
What can we do? 

Images from EnergyStar.gov
•Climate Change is happening 

here and now.

•We are at risk of abrupt, 

irreversible changes with 

damaging impacts.

•The sooner we act the lower 

the risk and cost.
Thank You

Shutsu Wong

wong.shutsu@epa.gov

617.918.1078