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Increasing the Efficiency of Existing Coal-Fired Power Plants

Increasing the Efficiency of Existing Coal-Fired Power Plants

Full Title:  Increasing the Efficiency of Existing Coal-Fired Power Plants
Author(s):  Richard J. Campbell
Publisher(s):  Congressional Research Service
Publication Date: December 1, 2013
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):

 

Coal has long been the major fossil fuel used to produce electricity. However, coal-fired electric
power plants are one of the largest sources of air pollution in the United States, with greenhouse
gas (GHG) emissions from burning of fossil fuels believed to be the major contributor to global
climate change. Regulations under development at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
would impose new requirements on fossil-fueled (mostly coal-fired) power plants (CFPPs) to
control GHG emissions. The first of these requirements was issued in September 2013 with
proposed standards for the control of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from new electric
generating units burning fossil fuels. EPA’s proposals for control of GHG emissions from existing
power plants are expected by June 2014, with many options under consideration. EPA may target
emissions on a state or plant-by-plant basis, with companies likely given choices for compliance.
Within such a system, efficiency improvements can be an important contributor.

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