The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently proposed new carbon emission standards for fossil fuel power plants under the Clean Air Act (CAA). The rules for new-build power plants fall under Section 111(b) and are known as the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS). This should not be confused with Section 111(d) that regulates existing power plants.… Keep reading →
On June 2, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency made a historic announcement that will change how we make, move and use electricity for generations to come. For the first time in history, the government proposed limits on the amount of carbon pollution American fossil-fueled power plants are allowed to spew into the atmosphere. We’re already seeing pushback… Keep reading →
As the EPA’s long-awaited rule to control emissions from existing power plants draws near – the official announcement is expected Monday – stakeholders and lobbyists on both sides of the debate are sharpening their swords. The issue has also taken on considerable political significance ahead of the November elections. Fossil fuel interests are releasing estimates… Keep reading →
The Afşin-Elbistan coalfield and power plant project looks to tap the 40% of Turkey’s lignite coal reserves located in the region to generate up to 8,000 MW of power. After the UAE’s TAQA put investment on hold, Turkey’s state power generator is negotiating with Chinese and South Korean companies. [Reuters] A recent New York Times… Keep reading →
It’s common knowledge that the air in China is bad. After all, the country uses 50% of the world’s coal. But just how bad the air is – is it unhealthy or lightly polluted? – is more than just semantics. It’s been the source of debate and controversy between the US and Chinese governments. In… Keep reading →
Originally Posted on TheEnergyCollective.com On the coast of India’s Gulf of Kutch in Western Gujarat, near a small town called Mundra, an iconic fight against Tata Power’s Mundra coal plant is brewing. This fight has become the epicenter of a ‘rousing struggle’ against coal expansion – and a microcosm of India’s election politics. A small group of local fisherfolk are opposing… Keep reading →
Here’s a Chinese riddle: how does GDP growth slow, growth in oil consumption stutter to its lowest levels in a decade, pollution skyrocket and growth in electricity consumption pick up? Below, we break down two essential themes on the relationship between China’s electricity consumption, pollution and GDP growth. Electricity is Often Used as a Gauge… Keep reading →
EIA’s Annual Energy Outlook 2014 projects that 90 percent of coal-fired power plant retirements will occur by 2016, the first year of MATS enforcement. On February 14, 2014, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released a report showing that more coal-fired power plants are projected to retire by 2016 than previously predicted. The report draws on… Keep reading →
Shale gas revolution will result in cleaner electricity generation mix Coal is slowly retreating as natural gas and renewables gain market share in the electric power generation. That is old news. What is new is the accelerating speed in a sector not known for moving fast. The Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) latest Energy Outlook projections,… Keep reading →
A huge coal ash spill was discovered on February 2 at the Duke Energy power plant in North Carolina that has caused significant damage to the Dan River. The spill was caused when a storm drain pipe that runs underneath the 27-acre containment pond sprung a leak and allowed 82,000 tons of ash mixed 27… Keep reading →
