Quarterly Emissions Tracking

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EPA regularly posts updates of quarterly sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NO_x) emissions data from coal-fired power plants subject to the Acid Rain Program (ARP) and/or the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) to make it easy for the public to track changes in emissions from these sources.

In late 2008 the D.C. Circuit Court vacated CAIR. On July 6, 2011, EPA finalized the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) to replace CAIR starting on January 1, 2012. In direct response to the 2008 court decision, EPA created a separate allowance system for the CSAPR trading programs. Because allowances used to comply with CAIR and the Acid Rain Program can not be used to comply with CSAPR, allowance prices of SO₂ and NO_X have been increasingly low. This has raised concerns that coal-fired units could “backslide” on emission reductions for the remainder of 2011. For example, units could burn dirtier fuels, operate scrubbers or SCRs at reduced efficiency, or even bypass scrubbers or SCRs altogether, relying instead on banked allowances. EPA is tracking SO₂ and NOX emissions closely each quarter to evaluate further progress and assess whether backsliding may be occurring and, if so, where it may be taking place.

The United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit issued its ruling to stay the CSAPR pending judicial review. The court's decision is not a decision on the merits of the rule. The court left CAIR in place as it considers the challenges to CSAPR. Please see our Bulletins page for updates on CSAPR and the continuing implementation of CAIR.

EPA is adding new data to this website on a quarterly basis as it becomes available. For additional information and a detailed description of the analyses presented here, please see the background section of this site.

The data show that while a few facilities are emitting more SO₂ and/or NO_x or emitting SO₂ and/or NO_x at a greater rate in 2011 than in 2010, overall emissions are still declining.

Quarterly Coal-fired Power Plant Emission Data: 2010 vs. 2011

The data presented here compare emissions, emission rates, and heat input from power plant units in the ARP and CAIR. These files graphically and spatially compare quarterly emission data from 2011 with data for the same quarter from 2010. The data presented here are final data for 2010 and preliminary data for 2011 that are currently under review. As data are reviewed and verified, these materials will be updated.

Table of Emissions, Emission Rates, Heat Input: 2010 vs. 2011 (Excel 781 KB) | (PDF 3.64 MB)
Interactive Map of Emissions, Emission Rates, Heat Input: 2010 vs. 2011 (KMZ 1.29 MB) | (About KMZ)
Maps of Emission Rates for Facilities with Substantial Changes: 2010 vs. 2011 (PDF 1.77 MB)

Annual Coal-fired Power Plant Emission Data: 2010 vs. 2011

Table of National Aggregated Emissions, Emission Rates, Heat Input: 1990, 2000, 2005, 2008 and 2009

(PDF 16KB).

The data presented here compare emissions, emission rates, and heat input from power plant units in the Acid Rain Program. These files graphically and spatially compare annual emission data from 2010 with 2011. The data presented here are final data for 2010 and preliminary data for 2011 that are currently under review. As data are reviewed and verified, these materials will be updated.

Table of Emissions, Emission Rates, Heat Input: 2010 vs. 2011 (Excel 224 KB) | (PDF 931 KB)
Maps of Emissions, Emission Rates, Heat Input: 2010 vs. 2011 (PDF 224 KB)
Interactive Map of Emissions, Emission Rates, Heat Input: 2010 vs. 2011 (KMZ 608 KB) | (About KMZ)
Table of State Emissions, Emission Rates, Heat Input: 2010 vs. 2011 (Excel 55 KB) | (PDF 105 KB)
Table of National Aggregated Emissions, Emission Rates, Heat Input: 1990, 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2011 (Excel 53 KB) | (PDF 16 KB)

Coal-fired Characteristics and Controls: 2011

The data presented here provide emissions, heat input, capacity, on-line year, emission controls, program applicability, addresses, and additional identifying information for coal-fired power plant units, regardless of their inclusion the Acid Rain Program. These files contain data current as of 2011.

The data show the percent of coal-fired units, generating capacity, and generation with advanced emission controls.

Table of Coal Unit Characteristics: 2011 (Excel, 432 KB) | (PDF 2.76 MB)
Summary of Coal Unit Controls: 2011 (PDF 15 KB)

Changes in Control Technologies at Coal-Fired Units: 2000-2014

The following figures display where particular control technologies have been installed between 2000 to 2008 as well as what technologies EPA anticipates will be installed in 2010, 2012, and 2014 based on the information obtained from major company contacts and industry sources.

The data show that more and more coal-fired units are installing advanced controls, such as scrubbers, which are dramatically reducing pollution across the country.

Control technologies installed (or scheduled to be installed), 2000- 2014 (Figure 1-6) (PDF 779 KB)

Interactive Motion Charts Showing Changes in Emissions and Emission Rates

The following interactive motion charts show changes in emissions and emission rates over time and show, historically, how coal-fired power plants have responded to the Acid Rain Program and the Clean Air Interstate Rule.

The data show recent changes in SO₂ and NO_x emissions for the ARP and CAIR facilities

The data show the dramatic reductions in SO₂ and NO_x emissions throughout the Acid Rain Program's history.

Video tutorials of interactive motion charts

Introduction to chart features