GTH Energy & Natural Resources Law Blog

On January 15, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") issued new rules governing pollution from Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines ("RICE") used for emergency electric generation. The new rules have been amended substantially to reflect electric system reliability requirements because RICE are frequently used for emergency and back-up power, helping to prevent blackouts when the grid is strained by outages in primary units, voltage deviations, or other reliability problems. The rules are of particular interest to Northwest entities that may use diesel generators for back-up or reliability purposes. The rules are also of great interest to rural communities in Alaska, which frequently rely on RICE for generating their electric power and for whom the new rule makes some special accommodations.

The new rule amends the limits for hazardous air pollutants ("NESHAP" in EPA-speak) aimed at controlling pollutants such as formaldehyde from stationary RICE, such as diesel-powered generators. Until 2010, stationary engines of 500 HP or less were not regulated under the relevant NESHAP rules. At that time, EPA issued rules that would have extended regulation to stationary engines of this size, but would have allowed limited exemptions for emergency engines operating less than 15 hours per year. Because the 15-hour-per-year limitation did not square with electric industry standards, representatives of the electric industry asked FERC to reconsider this limitation.

Continue reading "EPA Strains RICE Through the Reliability Screen: Rules on Pollution from Reciprocating Engines Modified To Reflect Reliability Requirements" »

Yesterday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit tossed out challenges to the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed new source performance standards for greenhouse gases. The Court concluded in a unpublished order that, because EPA's rules are not yet final, the lawsuits are premature.

The litigation was brought by Las Brisas Energy Center, LLC, which is constructing a 1320-MW generator in Corpus Christi, Texas, that will be fired by petroleum coke. The case was then consolidated with similar challenges brought by a number of other generators. Substantively, the petitions claimed that EPA exceeded its authority under the Clean Air Act by imposing an emissions limit of 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per megawatt-hour, regardless of fuel type, without first making the required finding that each generator type makes a "significant contribution" to pollution and without conducting adequate economic analysis.

EPA sought to dismiss the case as premature because the greenhouse gas rules are not yet final. The petitioners argued that the proposed rule had an immediate impact on them because it effectively imposed specific limits on their ability to construct generators going forward, even if not finalized. Yesterday's order rejects this argument. But it is hardly the last word. Similar challenges, and many others, are almost certain to be lodged once EPA issues its final greenhouse gas rules.

If you have any questions about the D.C. Circuit's decision, the regulation of electric generators, or other matters related to the utility industry or environmental law, please contact a member of GTH's Energy, Telecommunications and Utilities practice group or Environment & Natural Resources practice group. Both groups are consistently rated as among the best in the Pacific Northwest.