Number: RL32744
Title: Mercury Emissions from Electric Generating Units: A Review of EPA Analysis and MACT Determination
Authors: Dana A. Shea, Larry Parker, James E. McCarthy, and Thomas Chapman, Resources, Science, and Industry Division 
Abstract: A number of controversies have arisen concerning the proposed MACT standards. In general, critics argue that the proposed standards are not sufficiently stringent to meet the statutory requirements for MACT. The EPA responds that technology to meet more stringent standards is not currently available, and that the standards reflect the best performance achieved by currently installed control equipment. This report examines this controversy, i.e., whether the proposed MACT standards do reflect the best emission control achieved at existing coal-fired electric generating units as required by statute. This report begins by describing the statutory requirements and the standards proposed by EPA. It then proceeds to describe the sampling methods used by EPA to generate data on existing mercury control levels. The methodology used by EPA to determine the proposed MACT standard, based on the sampling data, is described. Finally, some of the comments received by EPA on the proposed standards are reviewed.
Pages: 18
Date: January 21, 2005