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Carbon Dioxide Emission Reduction Opportunities for the West Virginia Power Sector

Carbon Dioxide Emission Reduction Opportunities for the West Virginia Power Sector

Full Title: Carbon Dioxide Emission Reduction Opportunities for the West Virginia Power Sector
Author(s): James Van Nostrand, Evan Hansen, Beren Argetsinger, Jeff Simcoe, and Joseph James
Publisher(s): Downstream Strategies and WVULaw Center for Energy & Sustainable Development
Publication Date: October 1, 2014
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):

On June 2, 2014, pursuant to Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed the Clean Power Plan to limit carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from existing electric power plants.1 The proposed rule would establish state-specific CO2 emission limits based on the emission reduction potential of a combination of measures that can be implemented at individual generating units and across the broader electric system.

As proposed,2 the Clean Power Plan would phase in emission reductions over time by allowing states to meet specified emission levels over two compliance periods. The interim compliance period would require states to meet an average emission limit from 2020 to 2029. The final compliance period would require states to meet a final limit by 2030 and maintain (or further reduce) that level of emissions thereafter. The rule proposes each state’s emission limit in the form of an emission rate—pounds of CO2 per megawatt hour of net electricity produced (lbs/MWh)—but provides the option for states to translate their rate-based limits into a mass-based limits (total emissions in tons). Under the rule, West Virginia would be required to reduce its CO2 emission intensity from 2,019 lbs/MWh to 1,620 lbs/MWh by 2030.

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