The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday issued guidance and tools to help state and local air permitting authorities prepare for new greenhouse gas (GHG) regulations.
EPA recommends that permitting authorities use the best available control technology (BACT) process to look at all available emission reduction options for GHGs. EPA said it anticipates that, in most cases, this process will show that the most cost effective way for industry to reduce GHG emissions will be through energy efficiency.
Beginning in January, industries that are large emitters of GHGs, and are planning to build new facilities or make major modifications to existing ones, will have to work with permitting authorities to identify and implement BACT to minimize their GHGs. This includes the nation’s largest GHG emitters, such as power plants, refineries and cement production facilities.
"Make no mistake about it, this does not represent an opportunity for any construction moratorium. EPA and the states are fully prepared to take this on," said Gina McCarthy, EPA's assistant administrator for air and radiation.
Read additional coverage at the link below.
