Photochemical Modeling of the Air Quality Impacts of an Emissions Trading Program for Highly Reactive Volatile Organic Compounds (HRVOCs) in Texas

摘要

The Texas Air Quality Study (TexAQS 2000) identified emissions of Highly Reactive Volatile Organic Compounds (HRVOCs, defined in Texas regulations as ethylene, propylene, butylenes and 1,3 butadiene), along with NO_X, to be the main causes of the highest concentrations of ground level ozone in the Houston-Galveston (HG) area. As part of the response to the EPA's request for a State Implementation Plan that will reduce 1-hour ozone concentrations in the HG Non-attainment area, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has put in place an HRVOC Emissions Cap and Trade (HECT) Program. The program will set an area-wide cap on HRVOC emissions from industrial point sources, including refineries, olefins manufacturing facilities, and polymer manufacturing facilities. Emission allowances, with a total equal to the cap, will be distributed to facilities in the area based on average emission rates for any consecutive three-year period prior to program implementation. These allowances give facilities the right to emit a limited amount of HRVOCs and allowances can be used, sold or traded.