The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA issued the final series of actions to ensure the largest industrial facilities can get Clean Air Act permits that cover greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) beginning in January 2011.
The actions give the EPA authority to permit GHGs in seven states (Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Oregon, and Wyoming) until the state or local agencies can revise their permitting regulations to cover the emissions.
The EPA will take control of granting permits for new power plants and refineries in Texas. It is only state that refuses to enforce EPA’s emissions regulations and, along with a dozen other states, is fighting EPA’s right to regulate GHG emissions in court.
Texas produces the highest carbon emissions in the US because of its many coal plants, refineries and factories.
Beginning on January 2, large industrial GHG emitters that plan to build new facilities or make major modifications to existing ones, must obtain air permits and implement energy efficiency measures or, where available, cost-effective technology to reduce their GHGs emissions.
The law only applies to the largest GHG emitters in the US – power plants, refineries and cement production facilities. Emissions from small sources, such as farms and restaurants are not included.
Republicans are preparing to block the regulations by eliminating funding in the spending bill that comes before Congress early next year. The spending bill would have to be approved to prevent a government shut-down.
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