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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today proposed to strengthen limits on emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from most new, modified, and reconstructed fossil fuel-fired stationary combustion turbines.* The stated goal is to reduce exposure to dangerous air pollution for nearby communities. The proposal would ensure that new turbines built at power plants or industrial facilities, especially large ones that could operate for decades, would be among the most efficient and lowest-emitting turbines ever built. NOx contributes to harmful health effects, such as asthma and respiratory infections, and reacts with other volatile organic compounds to form ozone (i.e., smog) and fine particulate matter. Children, the elderly, and people with chronic heart, lung, or other cardiopulmonary diseases are most at risk.

“This proposal ensures that new turbines at power plants or industrial facilities will minimize emissions of harmful, smog-forming nitrogen oxides,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation Joseph Goffman. “These stronger standards are necessary to better protect nearby communities’ health, and the power sector has already shown that the additional pollution controls can affordably and reliably do the job.” Continue reading →