Utility MACT Could Trump Emissions Trading In EPA CAIR Replacement

摘要

EPA's upcoming proposal to replace its remanded clean air interstate rule (CAIR) may allow limited trading of utility emissions credits, but a separate pending maximum achievable control technology (MACT) rule for utility air toxics may trump the CAIR replacement by requiring controls that are so stringent they make trading moot, sources say.rnThe MACT could set strict controls on pollution to cut air toxics emissions that would have a co-benefit of cutting sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions so much that it eviscerates any demand for SO2 emission credits under a new SO2 trading plan. However, the pending MACT may not have such an impact on trading of nitrogen oxide (NOx) credits under a CAIR replacement because air toxics utility controls do not cut NOx significantly.