On March 27, the EPA proposed a first-time standard for carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. New power plants would have to emit less than 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide annually per megawatt hour. The standard would not affect plants already in operation, plants that do not use fossil fuels or plants that will begin construction within the next year. The proposal offers options for new power plants to gradually incorporate pollution-lowering technology. Power plants that use carbon capture and storage technology would be able to emit more carbon dioxide in their early years as they find the best way to limit emissions, as long as they do not exceed 1,800 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per megawatt hour per year and adhere to an average of 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per megawatt hour over 30 years. There will be a 60-day comment period on the proposal.

Source: EPA