A Perspective on the Development of Programs to Control Stationary Source Nitrogen Oxide Emissions in the Eastern U.S.

摘要

Emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) are of particular concern in the Eastern U.S. NOx is a precursor to ozone and fine particle pollution and contributes to regional haze, acid deposition, and water quality problems. All these problems have persisted in the eastern U.S. for many years. Fossil fuel-fired power plants and motor vehicles emit the largest quantities of NOx in the region. This paper describes programs that have reduced major stationary source NOx emissions in the eastern U.S., explains some of the strengths and weaknesses of those programs, and suggests possible improvements. Programs discussed include new source review, rules requiring reasonably available control technology (RACT), the Acid Rain Program, the OTC NOx Budget Program, EPA's NOx Budget Program, the Clean Air Interstate Rule, and the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule. Factors making these programs difficult to develop included the initial focus of ozone control strategies solely on reducing local Volatile Organic Compound emissions, the issue of allocating allowances in cap and trade programs, and the difficulty of determining how much control is required to reduce interstate transport. NOx cap and trade programs were determined to be cost-effective but faced legal challenges. Effective monitoring and reporting as well as updates to the amount of allowances increased program effectiveness. Recent concerns include reduced operation of some NOx control systems as well as high emissions on peak electricity demand days. State actions to augment national programs discussed here include North Carolina's statewide caps, OTC's focus on high electricity demand days, and New Jersey's emission rate rules. Recommendations include increased control of peaking units to complement cap and trade rules and increased focus on mobile source and ammonia emissions.