Electric System Reliability and EPA Regulation of GHG Emissions from Power Plants: 2023
White Paper, 2023
At the request of Environmental Defense Fund, Analysis Group Senior Advisor Susan F. Tierney prepared an independent study to assess electric system reliability concerns that industry stakeholders have raised about the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) most recent proposal under Section 111 of the Clean Air Act to regulate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from new and existing fossil-fueled electric generating units.
Since the EPA proposed its new rule in May 2023, electric industry stakeholders have expressed fears that the proposal could conflict with the industry’s obligation to provide around-the-clock electricity supply to consumers. In Electric System Reliability and EPA Regulation of GHG Emissions from Power Plants: 2023, Dr. Tierney discusses potential reliability impacts of the rule and possible mitigations. She provides an overview of the EPA’s proposal, context for considering industry stakeholders’ reliability-related comments and reactions to the proposed regulation, and responses to their thematic and technical concerns. Dr. Tierney concludes that reliability risks can be addressed so that the EPA’s proposed rule does not jeopardize electric system reliability.