White Paper: Available and Emerging Technologies for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Combustion Turbine Electric Generating Units
April 21, 2022 - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued for public input a draft technical white paper on control techniques and measures that could reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from new stationary combustion turbines. These turbines, which are currently projected to be a significant part of U.S. electricity generation in future years, primarily use natural gas to create electricity. The draft white paper is an important step forward in EPA’s efforts to engage communities and the power sector on strategies to improve clean air and reduce climate pollution in the years ahead.
The white paper does not set policy or standards or establish any binding requirements under any particular regulatory program. EPA anticipates the public dialogue on the draft will help inform consideration of a Clean Air Act (CAA) section 111 standard for new natural gas electric utility generating units (EGUs). States and the public may also find the white paper useful to inform state-level actions to combat climate change and individual permitting considerations.
The information in this white paper is intended to assist states and local air pollution control agencies, tribal authorities, and regulated entities in their consideration of technologies and measures that may be implemented to reduce GHG emissions from stationary combustion turbines. The discussion of technologies and measures in this paper may also provide context for permit development under the prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) program of the Clean Air Act (CAA), including in the assessment of the best available control technology (BACT) for GHG emissions from stationary combustion turbines. The range of technologies and measures included is comprehensive enough that this discussion may also inform state programs or initiatives to further reduce GHG emissions from stationary combustion turbines.
EPA took public comment on the draft white paper through June 6, 2022, via a non-regulatory docket.