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Air Quality: Multi-Pollutant Legislation
in the 109th Congress
Introduction
Electric utility generating facilities are a major source of air pollution. The
combustion of fossil fuels (petroleum, natural gas, and coal), which accounts for
about two-thirds of U.S. electricity generation, results in the emission of a stream of
gases. These gases include several pollutants that directly pose risks to human health
and welfare, including particulate matter (PM),1 sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides
(NOx), and mercury (Hg). Particulate matter, SO2, and NOx are currently regulated
under the Clean Air Act (CAA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has
proposed rules to regulate mercury. Other gases may pose indirect risks, notably
carbon dioxide (C02), which may contribute to global warming.2 Table 1 provides
estimates of SO2, NOx, and CO2 emissions from electric generating facilities.
Annual emissions of Hg from utility facilities are more uncertain; current estimates
indicate about 48 tons. Utilities are subject to an array of environmental regulations,
which affect in different ways both the cost of operating existing generating facilities
and the cost of constructing new ones.
Table 1. Emissions from U.S. Fossil-Fuel Electric Generating Plants
(thousands of metric tons)
Emissions 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
SO2 12,509 12,445 11,297 10,966 10,515 10,594
NOx 6,235 5,732 5,380 5,045 4,802 4,396
CO2 2,313,013 2,326,558 2,429,394 2,379,603 2,397,937 2,408,961
Source: Energy Information Administration. Includes emissions from combined-heat-and-power plants.
The evolution of air pollution controls over time and as a result of growing
scientific understanding of health and environmental impacts has led to a
multilayered and interlocking patchwork of controls. Moreover, additional controls
are in the process of development, particularly with respect to NOx as a precursor to
ozone, to both NOx and SO2 as contributors to PM2.5, and to Hg as a toxic air
Particulate matter is regulated depending on the particle size; current regulations address
particles less than 10 microns in diameter (PM10); EPA has promulgated regulations for
particles less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5) that are in the process of being
implemented. SO2 and NOx emissions could be affected by regulations of PM2.5. Current
concerns about emissions from fossil-fuel electric generating plants do not explicitly address
PM, but could indirectly do so through attention to SO2 and NOx.
2 Steam-electric utilities produce minor amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs),
carbon monoxide (CO), and lead - on the order of 2% or less of all sources.
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Parker, Larry & Blodgett, John E. Air Quality: Multi-Pollutant Legislation in the 109th Congress, report, June 29, 2005; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc815048/m1/4/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.