US EPA adopts revised rules for new power plants

Tulsa, OK-Gina McCarthy, administrator who took the stage at the national environmental protection agency, the Press Club in Washington, D.C. September 20, their agency newly revised pollution to adopt standards for new power plants.

McCarthy said that the proposed rules is a flexible, accessible way in the future from morning fleet of power plants. According to the rules, the large natural gas-fired turbines would emit less than 1,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide per MWh, while new small natural gas-fired turbines would have to spend less than 1,100 kilograms of carbon dioxide per MWh.

New coal-fired power plants would need units less than 1,100 kilograms of carbon dioxide per MWh or spend, optimize more than 84 months operating plants offer the flexibility and time to technologies, between 1,000 and 1,050 kilograms of carbon dioxide per MWh in the average.

The average US coal plant emits 1,768 kilograms of carbon dioxide per MWh-hour. Natural gas plants emit 800 to 850 pounds.

Administration was coal-fired electricity site according to the US energy information responsible for 37 percent of all power generation in 2012.

President Barack Obama directed the EPA to develop and release pollution standards for new and old power plants in June 2013 as part of a larger plan to tackle climate change.

"Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. More than 97 percent of the climate researchers are convinced that human induced climate change is taking place on the basis of scientific data. If our climate change goes unchecked, this devastating effects on the United States and the planet needs. Reduction of CO2 pollution is of vital importance for the protection of Americans, health and the environment which our economy depends, "she said.

This latest version of the EPA standards for new power plants that is result of some 2 million public comments, said McCarthy.

"We have done what requires democracy. We paid attention. We heard these comments, and that's what today's proposal reflects, "she said.

One way the is can meet standards the use of CO2 sequestration - a technology that she said "proved"

"CO2 capture and sequestration technologies will eventually tire and be so today are commonly used in power plants, such as scrubber", she said.

Cleanup of conventional thermal power plants to be a boost for the economy and not a burden for them, she said.

"The argument that we must choose between economic growth and environmental protection is wrong," she said.

The EPA fully expected many comments on these proposals, like it after the first version of the new source performance standards in March 2012, she said.

"We will do what we have done. We give every comment we receive detailed attention, "she said.

During the writing proposed rules, she said, committed revised and finally applied the EPA to regulate CO2 and greenhouse gas emissions power generation fleet, existing not only new power plants, but of the country.

Coming up, however, is "on a longer time scale," she said with rules for the regulation of the older power plants.

EPA comment period for 60 days after publication in the Federal Register open being.

President Obama has the EPA come instructed until June 2014 a proposal to clean up the older plants.

In 2009, EPA determines that greenhouse threatened with pollution Americans health and welfare by leading long-lasting changes in our climate, can have a number of negative effects on human health and the environment.

This article originally appeared on electric light & makes, and was published with permission.

View the original article here

European Investment Bank (EIB) cut lending to fossil plants, supports renewables

London-the European Investment Bank (EIB), the world's largest public financial institution, has announced that effective immediately, it no longer the most coal, brown coal and oil fired power plants in Europe its climate targets to meet as an aid for finance is.

The announcement comes on the heels of a similar announcement by the World Bank, which has said, that it support "only in rare cases." will power plants in the developing world for coal

At a meeting this week that the EIB Board of Directors agreed to introduce an emissions performance standard (EPS) for energy projects, investments in power plants for fossil fuels, which have not implemented the emission technologies, which is effectively blocked the emitting more than 550 g/CO2 per kWh, screen. Coal plants get more funding, if with carbon capture and storage (CCS) and power (CHP) or cogeneration, biomass co-fire technology in place.

The Board said that the standards, after an eight-month consultation over 80 industry associations, national committees and individual companies, are designed to strengthen support for investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency in Europe. Richard Willis, press officer of the EIB said REW, that the move "our ongoing focus towards renewable energies opens so far and reflects how we see our primary focus on investments in the coming years." Green as the WWF welcomed said the step but it does not go far enough, and some Member States had reportedly urged groups, the more stringent standards will be implemented immediately.

"In determining at what level the EPS set we nature of emissions across a range of technologies saw,", said Willis. "We have set a standard unanimously by all Member States which reflects current policy but the guidelines no longer still because we were asked that we review and consider also the exceptions that are in place to ensure we concentrate primarily on networks, renewable energy and energy efficiency."

Two exceptions to the standard, which it more financing for coal-fired plants, to the security of supply or allow "contribute to the alleviation of poverty and economic development", contribute in other regions of Europe, have been marked by green groups.

"We decided that the total new guidelines would be considered in the autumn of next year – this is normal that every initiative, which committed the Bank," said Willis. "We look to see if the level the difference between projects continue to the 550 g figure reflected, or whether technology improves, so we had a lower number, the more [] emission reduction and biomass investment would allow." He also speculated that "much stronger set" climate goals the next year's European elections most could follow the time ", which would be taken into account."

A number of Member States have highlighted the continuing importance of the gas as a transitional technology to a low-carbon economy, and the EIB said Willis recognizes this, although he didn't say what specific measures have been taken. But he said, "really, our main focus is for 90 per cent of our future commitments are in the areas of renewable energy, energy efficiency and grid networks to ensure that renewable energy can have an important role in Europe's energy mix." Investments in the network infrastructure is crucial, he said, and "no single Government or institution, who pay for it can alone; Companies are stretched. We can play a role as an important source of funding and a supporting role in providing technical assistance. As co-financier, we support about one-third of project funding on average, but can we contribute up to 50 percent, we can help, in other financial sources, often from other banks to bring, which is not such a big focus and exposure to renewable energy but are happy, with other much-needed capital for long-term investments to work."

Earlier this week signed a financing bank with Dutch grid operator TenneT for new grid infrastructure, linking the North Sea to Northern Germany and today the Bank and Spanish utility Iberdrola signed a loan agreement for €200 milliion for promoting the modernisation of the electricity network in Spain. Such net investment "is key to the use of not only existing investments in renewable energies, but also new investment as it comes forward", said Willis.

I am delighted, he concluded that "with regard to renewable energy, we realize that on a snapshot from year to year based on investment in the face of the different energy markets and regime varies. We are closely related to most of the larger projects but also always on the lookout for ways to work through intermediary banks to support smaller systems. We have a continuing role in other sources of financial support renewable energy: banks that can't our commitment on renewable energy to engage. We see this in major projects in the North Sea and in sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere."

View the original article here

Report: 59 GW generation capacity coal-fired plants should retire; Could open door for renewable energy

The comprehensive report is one of the ten States with the most coal-fired generation plants, which should be taken into account for the final: Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, Michigan, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Indiana, Mississippi and Virginia. (see graph below).

The report also shows that southern company, one of the largest private utilities in the country, followed by the State of Tennessee Valley Authority, Duke Energy, American Electric fired the most coal power and FirstEnergy owns generating plants for your retirement.

To determine the economic competitiveness of a coal plant, the UCS compared to coal-fired generation after the installation of a plant of modern pollution controls costs with the costs of the generation of a new natural gas-fired plant. If the cost of the coal plant was greater, it appeared ready to retire. Many in the report identi­fied ripe for retirement generators are more expensive than wind power with or without the extension of the production tax credit (PTC). The UCS considers even a modest price for CO2 emissions for the analysis.

See below diagram and description.

UCS analysis reveals that low natural gas prices and a price for CO2 have to expand the largest influence in the pool of the coal-fired generators as ripe for retirement and extend the federal tax credits for wind power is also important. Alternative scenarios could affect search three external factors, the coal-fired generating capacity as ripe for retirement. In the core analysis (far left) compares the low estimate (dark blue alone) the operating costs of coal generators with the operating costs of a new plant of NGCC; the high estimate (combined dark blue and light blue) compares the costs of coal generators systems with the operating costs of existing NGCC. The Middle three bars repeat the analysis for hypothetical scenarios in which natural gas prices could be lower 25 percent or 25 percent, or where could set a price of $15 / tonne on CO2 emissions. For the wind energy scenario (far right), the analysis shows that expires the capacity of coal-fired generators as ripe for retirement, when federal tax credits for wind power are permitted (dark green) or extended (dark green and light green combined).

"Our analysis shows that switching to cleaner energy sources and energy efficiency investments often more economical than billions to obsolete coal-fired plants, the life extend," said Steve Frenkel, co-author and Director of the UCS of the Midwest offices reports. "Regulators should more utilities to check carefully, whether the taxpayer through old coal-fired plants in the retirement and the promotion of electricity produced from natural gas and renewable energy sources such as wind would be better. "Issuance of billions of old coal-fired plants can easily upgrade be throwing good money after bad."

According to the UCS possible, this uncompetitive generators in the retirement presents a historic opportunity, a transition to a clean energy economy to accelerate the protection of public health, CO2 emissions and diversification the electricity mix.

View the original article here

S DLE Center to increase the durability, service life of solar power plants

Newswise-case Western Reserve University and industry are combined with the productive life of the solar energy technologies, improve energy-efficient lighting, roofing, building exteriors, and more.

The effort got a boost from the State this week, when the Ohio third frontier Commission grant $ 2.88 million to finance the solar durability and service life extension Center at case Western Reserve recommended. Under the third frontier Wright awarded projects program, will include the S-DLE Center of application testing and a Sun farm on campus.

Such Center fills a critical need cited by the US Department of energy. Service life and reduce says science for advanced energy the Energy Ministry to the definition and implementation and energy efficiency products, especially early in the development, is crucial for U.S. competitiveness.

Case Western Reserve and its partners offer to require companies with the indoor and outdoor laboratory equipment and evaluate materials, components and products under sunlight by up to 1,000 Suns and under extreme temperature, humidity, freezing and thawing cycles and other environmental factors.

"The facilities and equipment users identify, which can impact of 25 years of exposure to sunlight and the environment in much less time,", said Roger H. French, F. Alex Nason Professor in materials science and technology, macromolecular science and physics at the University.

French, the S-DLE Center be Director. The commercialization is also the University, Alexis Abramson Director and Frank Ernst and co-investigators are Ken singer Dave Schiraldi.

The standards and protocols designed to withstand a quarter-century of the weathering are ultimately enable companies to accelerate and reduce the cost of product development, provide long-lasting products with improved product warranties and lower cost of ownership for the consumer.

Western is the S-DLE Center on case reserve project with Replex plastics, a company in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, development mirrors the increasing light intensity on, and power output of photovoltaic modules and systems. French and Replex are that she can check service life and durability of the mirror added PV systems, such as this approach to reduce the cost of solar energy. The third frontier Commission awarded, that project a $900,000 grant in February.

The Ohio third frontier is grant supplemented by the 3 million dollar cost share commitment to the center of case Western Reserve and the S DLE industrial partners: DuPont photovoltaic solutions, Underwriters Laboratories and Ohio-based Q-Lab, eQED and Xunlight26.

The public funding allows the installation of a dozen solar Tracker - essentially a post topped with a motorized platform that is GPS used to automatically follow the Sun (the "Sun farm"), indoor Solar Simulators, producing the Sun intensity up to 1000 times, and a wide range of environmental test chambers. The Center offer to evaluate a variety of devices exposed optical, surface tension, Thermo mechanical and electrical properties of materials, components and products for the items to the tracker or in the laboratories.

The equipment shall be available to other industrial and academic users. The Centre is in discussions with 11 other companies, who would pay for access and services.

To provide broader service, is the S-DLE Center exchange programs with the national renewable energy laboratory in Golden, Colorado, and industry partners Q-Lab testing facilities in Arizona and Florida, materials and products in the different environments has to establish.

View the original article here

Risks remain in Japanese nuclear power plants

TOKYO, April 26 UPI)-backup generators to many Japanese nuclear power plants lack capacity to keep reactor, that would be cool to strike one another earthquake or tsunami cores, say sources.

Japanese nuclear regulatory authorities of the country's 11 nuclear plant operators to provide extra truck-mounted generators on high ground asked, where is no tsunami flood it, provide power for cooling reactor systems on heavy-duty waterproof cable, NewScientist.com reported on Tuesday.

However, said sources in the nuclear utilities have said, which makes Kyodo news that could provide the backups would insufficient NewScientist.com.

In Hamaoka on the use of a plant generators sit five reactors on a quake-prone subduction zone, Chubu Electric power nine new diesel lack sufficient system performance, cooling was called.

Another work in Tsuruga needs certainly cool its nuclear reactors, 3,500 kilowatt but the backups can only 1,020 kilowatts, Kyodo provide reports, cannot be a situation that will be fixed by next March.

The situation is not good for Japan bode. Nuclear power stations can not be off as residual heat from low level nuclear fission constantly way needs to be drawn from the core, and a lack of backup power supply means the risk or a reality remains more accidents.

View the original article here

Workers leave plants such as crisis shortly Japan nuclear, getting worse

You smoke billows of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station in this still image taken at 10 am (0200 GMT) from a Tokyo electric power (TEPCO)-webcam 16 March 2011.

Credit: Reuters/Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) / HandoutBy Shinichi Saoshiro and CHISA Fujioka

TOKYO | Wed Mar 16, 2011 2: 29 of the EDT

Tokyo (Reuters) - workers received the command, short escape knit Japanese nuclear power plant on Wednesday after radiation levels increased, a development which the crisis suggested was spiral out of control.

Only hours earlier, another fire broke in the earthquake crippled body which draw small amounts of radiation sent in Tokyo of the past 24 hours, fear in the capital and triggering international alarm.

Nuclear experts said the solutions for radiation leaks at the Daiichi complex in Fukushima, 240 km to suppress (150 miles north of Tokyo, were what remained as one of the world's worst industrial disasters in memory last desperate efforts to stem cells.)

"This is a slow nightmare," said Dr. Thomas Neff, a research affiliate at the Center for international studies, that of Technology Institute is in the Massachusetts.

Panic about the economic impact of last Friday knocked out $620 billion from Japan's stock market massive earthquake and tsunami in the first two days of the week, but the Nikkei index rebounded on Wednesday and was up 4.5 percent.

Nevertheless, estimates of losses on the Japanese edition of damage to buildings, production and consumer activity ranged from between 10 and 16 trillion yen ($ 5.125$ 200 billion), up to one and a-half times of the economic losses from the devastating Kobe earthquake in 1995.

Also significant disruption of the global supply chain, particularly in the areas of technology and auto threatens damage to Japan the production of base and infrastructure.

Scores of flights to Japan have been stopped or redirected, Tokyo avoid passengers fear of radiation and on Wednesday, France calls its nationals in the city of either Japan or head in the South of the country to leave.

The fate of hundreds of thousands homeless Quake which the and devastating tsunami, which followed the snow in some of the worst affected areas deteriorated overnight after a cold snap brought.

While the death toll to around 4 ' 000 is, more than 7,000 are listed as missing, and the figure is expected to rise.

In this work of Fukushima authorities spent days desperately trying to prevent water which is intended to the radioactive cores of the reactors of evaporate, leading to overheating and possibly a dangerous meltdown cool.

Care centres to damage now, on a part of the building where no.. 4 Reactor rods were spent in pools of water outside the containment and also part of the reactor No. 2, which helps cool and catch most caesium stored, iodine and strontium in its waters.

Workers of attempted a street build so that fire engines could reach the reactor No. 4, where a fire broke out on Wednesday. Flames were no longer on the building of the reactor, but television images showed smoke or steam is visible.

Japanese officials said that they were talking about military help in the work in the United States.

Earlier concerns that the skeleton handling of the crisis enough, after working for days since the earthquake damaged exhausted the plant were or might not be large crews mounted. Authorities moved leave on Tuesday, only 50 750 workers.

View the original article here

Valley biomass plants face steep fines

Valley TV ad's air cleanup claims controversial "TooltipId ="mi_tt1">"

Valley TV ad's air cleanup claims disputed

Is a television commercial by the local air district recruiters-winter 2009 / 10 as the Valley of the cleanest record-but that true? Yes-with asterisk.

Feds investigate Texas plant fire that killed 1 "TooltipId =" mi_tt2 ">"

Feds investigate Texas plant fire, 1 killed

What caused a fire that killed a worker a liquid natural gas facility East of Houston, an institution, owned by a company that since 2004 thousands of dollars in fines for serious injuries, examine Bundes-and national officials, that paid has included at least a different death.

Feds investigate Texas plant fire that killed 1 "TooltipId =" mi_tt3 ">"

Feds investigate Texas plant fire, 1 killed

Bundes-and national officials investigate what caused a fire, a worker killed a liquid natural gas facility East of Houston an institution since 2004 thousands of dollars in fines for serious injuries, that paid has included at least a different death.

Delta standards the EPA be explored "TooltipId =" mi_tt4 ">"

Delta standards to be examined by the EPA

The US Environmental Protection Agency will today announce, to see a study of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta water should be tightened standards on pollutants such as pesticides and ammonia.

EPA: New pollution limits applies to some "TooltipId =" mi_tt5 ">"

EPA: New pollution limits will apply to some.

More than a dozen industry managed to escape, new federal controls on air pollution and the gases that warming blamed, after a top environmental protection agency officials told a Federal Court a long-delayed California powerhouse would have to follow the rules.

Two biomass plants, should help, San Joaquin Valley have clean air, with air pollution most of the State fines in recent history have been marked.

Global ampersands in Boston was more than $800,000 for ozone-related emissions premium and other injuries of biomass plants in Madera and Merced County, fine, federal authorities announced Tuesday.

Protection Agency say the fine of the largest in the San Joaquin Valley and California is in recent years, environmental officials in the US. Although they had not have concrete numbers, officials said fines of nearly $1 million are unusual in California.

Ampersand agreed, said the EPA fines for infringements which began in 2008 on the ampersand Chowchilla makes biomass in Madera County and Merced close to El Nido. Woody wastes burn biomass plants to build farms and cities to electricity.

Ampersand agreed to reduce ozone-forming nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. Company could be unreachable for comment officials.

The large fine reflects the amount of pollution and the duration of injuries. The injuries took place during 2008, 2009 and 2010.

The San Joaquin Valley air pollution control district discovered problems.

Biomass plants are a cleaner way as open field burning agricultural has mostly been banned in the Valley.

Modern biomass plants must however satisfy strict standards to prevent addition to air quality problems, especially in the Valley.

Valley ozone pollution is one of the worst in the nation.

Ozone is a corrosive, warm weather gas, the scars that raises lung and asthma.

"That a victory for human health are today's enforcement actions," said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA Regional Administrator.

Ampersand was fined $328,000 for its plant Chowchilla and $492,000 for operation of Merced County.

The EPA and the district splits the punishment that is considered to be a rarity. EPA and local districts are often work on enforcement measures.

EPA share of money go to the US Treasury. The Valley Air District uses such sanctions programs help residents buy to finance electric lawnmower or cleaner wood stoves.

Ampersand was also an extra $15,000 to the Valley Air District for separate violations of district rules, including requirements for emissions control plans to pay.

Ampersand bought and renovated two biomass plants in 2007 and 2008 federal air officials said.

Operations had to shut down the Valley Air District during the 1990s.

The two plants aside from nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide injured limit values for sulphur dioxide. The two plants for timely tests to measure emissions, EPA, said.

View the original article here