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Nations agree on global, legally binding treaty on mercury emissions: Minamata Convention on Mercury

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At the conclusion of the International Negotiating Committee on Mercury ( INC5 ) meeting in Geneva ( earlier post ), nations agreed on a global, legally-binding treaty to prevent mercury emissions and releases. The scope of the new treaty which puts in controls and also reduction measures in respect to mercury is as follows: Products.

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New analysis finds Asia produces twice as much mercury emissions as previously thought

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New analysis by an international team led by MIT researchers shows that Asia now releases a surprisingly large amount of anthropogenic mercury. The new analysis provides more accurate estimates of sources of mercury emissions around the world. Noelle Selin, the Esther and Harold E.

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EPA issues first National Standards for mercury and air toxics pollution from power plants

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The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS), the first national standards for power plant emissions of mercury and toxic air pollutants (also known as hazardous air pollutants, HAPs) such as arsenic, acid gas, nickel, selenium, and cyanide. fossil-fuel-fired power plants.

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Texas utility signs first US Power Purchase Agreement for low-emissions electricity from commercial-scale coal-fired power plant with carbon capture

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CPS Energy of San Antonio has signed a Power Purchase Agreement for approximately 200 MW of power from the Texas Clean Energy Project (TCEP), located just west of Midland-Odessa. The agreement marks the first US purchase by a utility of low-carbon power from a commercial-scale, coal-based power plant utilizing carbon capture.

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EIA: US energy-related CO2 emissions in 2012 lowest since 1994; reflects drop in coal use

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The largest drop in emissions in 2012 came from coal, which is used almost exclusively for electricity generation. During 2012, particularly in the spring and early summer, low natural gas prices led to competition between natural gas- and coal-fired electric power generators.

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EPA proposes CO2 emission standards for new fossil fuel-fired power plants

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The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed Clean Air Act standards to reduce CO 2 emissions from fossil-fuel fired power plants (electric utility generating units, EGUs). The proposed rulemaking establishes separate standards for natural gas and coal plants.

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EPA proposes rule for nationwide 30% cut in GHG from existing power plants by 2030 relative to 2005

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The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the already widely-discussed (albeit without much detail) “Clean Power Plan” proposal, which mandates a national average 30% cut in greenhouse gas emissions from existing power plants from 2005 levels by 2030. GHG reductions. state compliance) to $7.4 regional compliance) to $8.8

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