Briefings

Materials now available from the BRIEFING: Output-Based Allocations for Multi-Pollutant Legislation: A flexible way to spur efficiency in Emission Trading Programs. (Friday, July 25, 10-11am, Russell Senate Office Building, Room SR-236)

NEMW Report Release & Briefing: Output-Based Emission Regulation: A Way to Recognize Cleaner Technologies in Multi-Pollutant Legislation, February 6, 2003.

Output-Based Emission Regulations are a means to recognize the air quality benefits of cleaner power technologies within environmental regulations. For multi-pollutant legislation being debated today, this comes into play in the way that allocations will be distributed. An output basis would be an environmentally-friendly method. Learn about this alternative approach, where it's already being used or recommended federally, in the states, and in models; and how it fits within the current clean air-clean energy policy debates on the Hill.

Briefing: Clean Air Act 101: Current Issues Surrounding New Source Review and Multi-Pollutant Proposals, February 8, 2002, U.S. Capitol, Room SC-4

Major changes in our country's clean air regulations are being considered by both Congress and the Administration that will affect power plants and their emissions. Please join us for a briefing on New Source Review (NSR) and multi-pollutant legislation from the perspectives of industry and the environmental community. Learn what NSR is and the controversy surrounding proposals to change the way that older coal-fired power plants are regulated. Hear about various multi-pollutant proposals introduced in the House and Senate, including S.556, a "4-pollutant" bill currently being considered in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, and a 3-pollutant approach being developed by the Administration. Speakers from all sides of the debate will discuss these issues, how they are interrelated, and the debates that led to their consideration. The briefing was hosted by the House and Senate Northeast-Midwest Coalitions along with the U.S. Combined Heat and Power Association.

Glossary of Acronyms from Briefing

Speakers:

Joel Bluestein, President, Environment and Energy Analysis. As an expert on the development and market effects of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments, Mr. Bluestein has extensive and direct experience with emissions trading programs, regulations, and related permitting issues.

John D. Walke, Senior Attorney and Director of Clean Air Programs at the Natural Resources Defense Council. Before joining the NRDC, Mr. Walke worked at the EPA's General Counsel office as primary attorney responsible for the operating permits program under Title V of the Clean Air Act.

NRDC Memo on S-556

NRDC New Source Review (NSR) Briefing Paper

Save the Clean Air Act Internet Site

Scott Segal, Partner, Bracewell & Patterson. Mr. Segal represents the Electric Reliability Coordinating Council, a coalition of large utilities including Southern Company, Duke Power, FirstEnergy, Progress Energy, and others.

Briefing: Multi-Pollutant Reduction Strategies, National Building Museum (January 14, 2002)

This gathering involved presentations and a dialogue regarding current multi-pollutant strategies being introduced or to be introduced in Congress addressing New Source Review (NSR), the Clean Air Act (CAA), and climate change initiatives. The discussion highlighted how innovative technologies-such as combined heat and power and distributed generation-can assist multi-pollutant reduction strategies. The speakers were: David Bassett of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Power Technology, and Joel Bluestein, President, Energy & Environmental Analysis, Inc. Both have extensive knowledge and history with various initiatives created over the years and with potential legislative paths we might look to in the future. Sponsored by the US Combined Heat & Power Association, the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, and the Northeast-Midwest Institute.

Dave Bassett Presentation (pdf)

Legislation in the 108th

A group supporting clean power is promoting the use of output-based emission allocations in any multi-pollutant legislation. The Northeast-Midwest Institute is a member of this coalition and is working to educate policymakers and other stakeholders on the benefits of output based allocations, like that in the Carper bill. A letter to Congress in support of output based allocations has been drafted and signatories are now coming forward.

The Northeast-Midwest Institute February 2003 report: Output-Based Emission Standards: Advancing Innovative Energy Technologies, highlights the concept of an output-based approach for a variety of emissions regulations and details state, federal and international activities. In addition, a June 2003 report commissioned by the US Combined Heat and Power Association provides detailed analysis of the output-based allocation method and comparisons to the other methods.

Senator Carper's Clean Air Planning Act (S 843)

On July 14th, Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) joined Sen. Chafee (R-RI) and Sen. Gregg (R-NH) as a cosponsor of this bipartisan bill.

Senator Carper of Delaware and NEMW Coalition member introduced a bipartisan multi-pollutant bill, S 843, on April 9, 2003. His bill offers greater human health and environmental benefits than the administration's "Clear Skies" proposal, for only a minimal additional cost. The Carper bill requires reductions in emissions of SO2, NOx, CO2 and mercury at power plants. The reductions are more stringent than that of the Administration's proposal and cover four pollutants "4P" where as "Clear Skies" does not address CO2. An Energy Daily article from July 2, 2003 details the EPA cost-benefit analysis of differences between the Carper and Adminstration proposals.

The Senator first introduced his multi-pollutant bill in the 107th Congress, which bridged the gap between proposals offered by Sen. Jeffords and the Administration. The Carper bill called for NOx and Hg allocations on a per-megawatt-hour output basis, which would be calculated on a three-year rolling average. It also stated that the EPA shall promulgate regulations that ensured CHP systems received “equitable issuance of allowances.” As for CO2, allowances would also be allocated on an output basis, using a three-year rolling average. However, there was no specific mention of CHP or thermal crediting. SO2 retained the Acid Rain program structure with a few minor amendments; the current structure employs an input-based allocation system. The emission cap on annual tonnage of SO2 was to be tightened.

Visit Senator Carper's website for more information on his bill and links to recent articles on the Carper and Bush bills.

Senator Jeffords' Clean Power Act (S 366)

Sen. Jeffords of Vermont, and past Co-Chair of the Northeast-Midwest Senate Coalition, reintroduced his 4-P bill in the 108th Congress on February 12, 2003. Last year, his bill (S 556) was passed by the Environment and Public Works Committee during the 107th Congress. Sen. Jeffords has been an advocate for clean air legislation for many years. Visit Senator Jeffords' website for additional news on his clean air initiatives.

The Administration's Clear Skies Act of 2003 (HR 999, S 485)

Of the multi-pollutant bills introduced, the "Clear Skies" proposal has the least-stringent emission targets and does not address carbon dioxide. It is a "3P" proposal. The House Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality held a hearing on July 8th entitled "The Clear Skies Initiative: A Multipollutant Approach to the Clean Air Act," at which EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation, Jeff Holmstead, testified.

Rep. Barton and Rep. Tauzin (by request) introduced HB 999 on Feb. 27, 2003. It was referred to the Energy and Commerce Committee. It was referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality on March 17.
Sen. Inhofe and Sen. Voinovich (by request) introduced SB 485 on Feb. 27, 2003. It was referred to the Environment and Public Works Committee. On April 8, 2003, the Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate Change, and Nuclear Safety held hearings.

Additional Materials and Links

EPA's Plain English Guide to the Clean Air Act

Timeline of Major Events Related to New Source Review (Feb 2002)

Glossary of Acronyms from Multi-Pollutant Briefing (Feb 2002)

For more information, contact Susan Freedman at the Institute.

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