Emissions trading and compliance: Regulatory incentives and barriers

Conference · Wed Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:10135668

South, D W; Bailey, K A ^[1]; McDermott, K A ^[2]

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1. Argonne National Lab., IL (United States)
2. Illinois State Univ., Normal, IL (United States). Center for Regulatory Studies

The Title IV of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (P.L. 101-549) authorizes the use of transferable emission allowances to achieve reductions in the power generating industry`s SO{sub 2} emissions at a minimum possible cost. All electricity generators (greater than 25 MW) are required to hold emissions allowances equal to the amount (tons) of SO{sub 2} emitted during a given year, and meet NO{sub x} reduction levels indicated by the Revised New Source Performance Standards (NSPS). This paper will examine the multifaceted goals and problems of states and utilities relative to compliance with Title IV, and in particular as they pertain to the development and functioning of the allowance market together with utility pollution control and power generation technology choice. Section 2 presents possible utility compliance strategies along with possible barriers that utilities may confront regarding the development of a SO{sub 2} allowance market. Section 3 discusses current regulatory barriers and requirements being implemented by state public utility commissions, and Section 4 offers some policy recommendations to achieve the goals of Title IV. Finally, Section 5 presents a summary and conclusions; Appendix A provides programs/mandates developed to data by high sulfur coal states in response to Title IV compliance requirements.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 10135668
• Report Number(s): ANL/CP--75645; CONF-920198--1; ON: DE92010280
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
200600
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290201
290300
293000
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
COMPLIANCE
ECONOMIC, INDUSTRIAL, AND BUSINESS ASPECTS
ECONOMICS
ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH, AND SAFETY
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
POLICY, LEGISLATION, AND REGULATION
SULFUR DIOXIDE
US CLEAN AIR ACT