Nonregulatory Public Docket: Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Existing Gas Turbines at Power Plants
March 26, 2024 - As part of EPA’s strategy to pursue a suite of rulemakings to address
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, air toxics, and emissions of nitrogen oxides from the power sector, Administrator Michael Regan announced a new, comprehensive approach to reduce GHG emissions from the entire fleet of natural gas-fired turbines, as well as to set protective standards for toxic and criteria air pollution.
EPA has opened a non-regulatory docket and issued framing questions to gather input about ways we can design a stronger, more durable approach to greenhouse gas regulation of the entire fleet of existing gas combustion turbines in the power sector under Clean Air Act Section 111(d). EPA is committed to expeditiously proposing this and the other elements of a comprehensive approach to regulation of climate, toxic and air pollution from combustion turbines. Engagement over the next several months will be essential to shaping new proposals that protect communities, public health, and the environment. EPA is pursuing a robust stakeholder engagement process, consulting with energy workers, communities with environmental justice concerns, environmental justice leaders, industry, grid operators, and all interested parties to help develop these proposals. The non-regulatory docket will be open for public comment for 60 days – through May 28, 2024.
EPA plans to re-propose emission guidelines for existing electric generating unit (EGU) combustion turbines to address GHG emissions more comprehensively from this subcategory, achieving greater emission reductions and addressing the broad range of concerns stakeholders have raised. EPA welcomes input from states and all stakeholders that may inform the Agency’s approach and assist in the development of this proposed rule. EPA also plans to hold a policy forum at EPA headquarters in Washington, D.C., on May 17th to bring stakeholders together to share ideas with EPA and each other on these issues. More details about the policy forum, and registration information, will be available in mid-April.
You can access the docket here: https://www.regulations.gov/. Search for Docket No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2024-0135 and follow the online instructions for submitting information.
EPA will provide a separate opportunity for public comment on any future proposed rulemaking(s) for existing gas combustion turbines through a formal comment period announced in the Federal Register.
Directions for Submitting Information:
Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2024-0135, using one of the following methods:
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Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov (our preferred method). Follow the online instructions for submitting input or information.
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Email: a-and-r-docket@epa.gov. Include Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2024-0135 in the subject line of the message.
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Mail: Environmental Protection Agency, Docket Center, Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2024-0135 , Mail Code 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20460.
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Hand Delivery or Courier: EPA Docket Center, WJC West Building, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004. The Docket Center’s hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday (except Federal Holidays). Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket’s normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information.
Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or removed from the docket. EPA may publish any comment received to its public docket. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written comment. The written comment is considered the official comment and should include discussion of all points you wish to make.