EPA May Delay New Utility NSPS To Keep Rule For Existing Plants Viable

摘要

EPA might delay its self-imposed deadline of March for issuing a greenhouse gas (GHG) new source performance standard (NSPS) for newly constructed power plants due to concerns that releasing the rule in the coming weeks could complicate a pending proposal to set a separate climate NSPS for existing plants, says a knowledgeable source.Political considerations could also influence a possible EPA delay of the new plant NSPS if the agency wants to release both rules at once and avoid two separate battles in Congress over the new source and existing source rules, the source adds. Another reason for delaying the new utility rule may be to avoid making it an issue during the confirmation process for EPA air chief Gina McCarthy's nomination to be agency administrator, sources have said.