Public Interest: Clean Air Mercury Rule

The Clean air Mercury Rule was signed on May 18, 2005.

It targets coal-fired electrical generating units larger than 25 MW.
It sets nation-wide caps: 38 tons/yr in 2010 (Phase I) and 15 tons/yr in 2018 (Phase II) and beyond (down from an estimated 48 tons in 1999.)
Each state has been allocated a cap total for each phase of the program.
Each state must demonstrate compliance each year with its caps. The model rule includes a market trading program which states may use, or they can establish emission limits to stay within the caps.
Phase I caps are based on existing control technology (for particulates, SO2, and NOX). Phase I also anticipates the further application of these types of controls to eastern sources that must comply with the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR). Mercury reductions under Phase I are considered as a co-benefit of the CAIR program.
Even in Phase II, most of the actual reductions will occur in the East, where the coal that is burned is bituminous.
Utah’s allowances are: 0.506 tons/yr for Phase I and 0.200 tons/yr for Phase II. This compares with an estimate of 0.142 tons emitted in 1999. This implies that Utah will have a surplus of allowances.
Any additional generating capacity will have to fit within these caps.
The Ute Indian Tribe, which has jurisdiction over the Bonanza Power Plant, was allocated 0.060 tons/yr for Phase I and 0.024 tons/yr for Phase II (there was no estimate provided for 1999).

For more information or questions contact Bill Reiss (801-536-4077).

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