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Analysis of Strategies for Reducing Multiple Emissions from Power Plants:
Sulfur Dioxide, Nitrogen Oxides, and Carbon Dioxide

Table 1.  Congressional Bills With NOx, SO2, or CO2 Power Plant Reduction Requirements

Bill Number

NOx Target
(Tons per Year)

SO2 Target
(Tons per Year)

CO2 Target
(Tons per Year)

Hg Target
(Tons per Year)

Other

S. 1369

1,660,000

3,580,000

1,914,000,000
(approx. 1990 level)

90% reduction

20% RPS, GPS, PBF

S. 1949

90% removal at each plant, and no more than 0.15 pounds per million Btu

95% removal at each plant, and no more than 0.3 pounds per million Btu

GPS, 0.9 pounds CO2 per kilowatthour for natural gas, 1.3 for oil, and 1.55 for coal

90% reduction from 1997 level

None

S. 172, H.R. 25

3,000,000
(70% below 1990 level)

4,500,000
(50% below CAAA90 level)

No requirement

Study

NOx allowance program

H.R. 2645

1,660,000

3,580,000

1,710,000,000 in 2005 (10% below 1990 level); 1,425,000,000 in 2010 (25% below 1990 level); 380,000,000 in 2030 (80% below 1990 level)

Reduce to 0 by 2010

GPS, PBF, RPS, nuclear waste reductions

H.R. 2900

1,548,000
(75% below 1997 level)

3,273,000
(75% below 1997 level)

1,914,000,000
(approx. 1990 level)

90% reduction from 1997 level

Plants required to meet new plant standards when they reach 30 years of age

H.R. 2980

Approximately 1,831,925
(1.5 pounds per megawatthour using 1996-1998 average generation)

Approximately 3,663,850
(3.0 pounds per megawatthour using 1996-1998 average generation)

1,914,000,000
(approx. 1990 level)

70% reduction from level in flue gas

GPS for CO2

CAAA90 = Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. GPS = Generation Performance Standard (output based allocation of emission allowances). PBF = Public Benefits Fund. RPS = Renewable Portfolio Standard.

Sources: S. 1369, “Clean Energy Act of 1999,” 106th Congress, 1st Session (July 14, 1999); S. 1949, “Clean Power Plant and Modernization Act of 1999,” 106th Congress, 1st Session (November 17, 1999); S. 172, “Acid Deposition and Ozone Control Act,” 106th Congress, 1st Session (January 19, 1999); H.R. 2645, “Electricity Consumer, Worker, and Environmental Protection Act of 1999,” 106th Congress, 1st Session (July 29, 1999); H.R. 2900, “Clean Smokestacks Act of 1999,” 106th Congress, 1st Session (September 21, 1999); H.R. 2980, “The Clean Power Plant Act of 1999,” 106th Congress, 1st Session (September 30, 1999).

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