# 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 - NCSource: NOAA Source: NOAA 

# The King Tide

Boston | Oct 27 2011Source: 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: EPASource: 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 CO 2 Emissions Rates ( lbs CO 2 / MWh )

Fuel Type



### 2013 Average CO2 Emissions Rates ( lbs CO 2

### / 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 CO 2

# ) 

# 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. 15Building 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 CO 2

# / MWh ) State 2012 Fossil

Emission Rate 1 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, ProposedSource: 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

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 1,769 2,680 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.gov23 

# 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