article thumbnail

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

Green Car Congress

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.

Mercury 199
article thumbnail

Duke study finds China’s synthetic natural gas plants will have heavy environmental toll; 2x vehicle GHG if used for fuel

Green Car Congress

Coal-powered synthetic natural gas (SNG) plants being planned in China would produce seven times more greenhouse gas emissions than conventional natural gas plants, and use up to 100 times the water as shale gas production, according to a new study by Duke University researchers published in the journal Nature Climate Change.

Gas 220
article thumbnail

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

Green Car Congress

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. Background. In the decision in Massachusetts v. Earlier post.)

EPA 236
article thumbnail

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

Green Car Congress

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. EPA is only proposing goals for states with fossil fuel-fired power plants.

2005 210
article thumbnail

GE Technology Selected for Hydrogen Energy IGCC Project in California

Green Car Congress

In 2007, GE and BP formed a global alliance to jointly develop and deploy technology for at least five IGCC power plants that could significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation. and the Polk Tampa Electric IGCC plant in Florida, that helped demonstrate the commercial feasibility of IGCC.

Hydrogen 199
article thumbnail

PCAST suggests 6 key components for climate change strategy to President Obama; adaptation and mitigation

Green Car Congress

Continue efforts to decarbonize the economy, with emphasis on the electricity sector. Key recommended steps here are: Support continuing expansion of shale-gas production, ensuring that environmental impacts of production and transport do not curtail the potential of this approach.

article thumbnail

PHEV Blowback

Plug In Partners

Here is the headline and the lead: Plug-in cars could actually increase air pollution By James R. Healey , USA TODAY The expected introduction of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles could cut U.S. gasoline use but could increase deadly air pollution in some areas, two reports say. Mercury is toxic. "

PHEV 100