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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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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. Gasification uses oxygen and steam at high pressures to convert coal into syngas, which is mainly a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Of the nearly 2.9

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

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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.

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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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alpha-En Corporation and Argonne partner on Li metal anodes for EV batteries; $750K award from DOE

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The benefits of the process include: Using Lithium Carbonate as feedstock reduces raw material costs. The room temperature process requires minimal electricity. The process does not require mercury, again reducing raw material costs and eliminating containment costs.

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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. Expanded lower-carbon generation. state compliance) to $7.4

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Berkeley study finds renewable portfolio standards insufficient to meet 2030 GHG emission targets; new policy required

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One possible scenario for the electricity system in the Western US in 2026-29. Pie charts show the proportion of different types of energy sources generating power and flowing between load areas if there were a carbon tax of $70 per ton. To meet these carbon goals, coal has to go away from the region. Click to enlarge.

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