Science in the News: Carbon Dioxide Regulations for Coal-fired Power Plants

Koch, Wendy.  EPA proposes strict emission limits on new power plants.  USA Today.com

[Internet].  Sept 20,2013.  Available from:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/09/19/epa-limits-emissions-coal-power-plants-carbon-capture-technology/2838391/

 Koch's article examines the consequences of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) new proposal to limit the amount of greenhouse gases emitted from new power plants, specifically coal fired units.  The EPA's proposal would implement captured carbon weight limits for existing power plants based on the megawatt capacity of the power plant. In order for most plants to meet their carbon weight limit, new emission control systems would have to be installed since most plant's technologies would be unable to meet the heightened standards.

EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy states, "Americans have a moral obligation to the next generation."  McCarthy is referring to the fact that our generation must preserve the environment for the future.  McCarthy bases her comment on the fact that coal-fired power plants are the largest source of carbon emissions, accounted for 37% of large industry carbon dioxide emissions.  Koch uses comments from the Obama Administration to detail the "hidden costs" of coal-fired units.  These hidden costs include global warming, excess greenhouse gases (such as sulfur dioxide), acid rain, and future health issues.

In my opinion, Koch does not capitalize on the the opposing view.  Coal-fired power plants are America's largest source of energy, contributing 24% of all energy consumed nationwide.  I often think of an analogy of a steam engine freight train and a hybrid car.  Obviously, a hybrid car produces far less carbon emissions than the dirty coal-fired train.  But a train can more efficiently transport a load 10,000 times greater than the load capability of a car.  In this analogy, the train represents the coal-fired power plants and the hybrid car represents a low emission energy source, such as wind power.  Also, Koch states that the average power plant already captures 90% of their carbon emissions. Putting a weight limit rather than a percent captured limit on power plants will severely hinder the large coal plants, which America relies so heavy upon.  Koch ends the article with a comparison quote from St. Louis Peabody Energy: "[The carbon cap limit] will cause consumers' power bills to skyrocket over time and cause more pain at the plug than Americans have experienced at the pump."

Questions:

1.  If the EPA put this proposal into effect in 2014, how would stock markets react to the decrease in power plant revenue (assuming the carbon cap would force some plants out of service)?

2.  Are Americans willing to pay higher electricity bills for increased environmental protection?

3.  If EPA decides to revoke the act, what are the future consequences of the current power plant emissions?

Science Benefits from Diverse Landing Area of NASA Mars Rover
http://spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=41668


NASA's "Curiosity Rover" has been revealing new information about the unknown characteristics of Mars.  First, the discovery of water molecules located in soil particles.  This finding encourages the idea that the water molecules are widely spread through the planet's soil and structures.  The rover has analyzed several samples of "windblown dust" and have noted a comparison to some volcanic deposits on Earth.  Evidence of hydrogen in the soil indicated an interaction of the soil particles and a modern atmosphere.   The soil recovered by the rover has also led to new discoveries about the planet's volcanic history as well as it's rock layers.

More information about the mission can be found at:

http://www.nasa.gov/msl

Max Kraus
9/16/13

"Growth Spurt for Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems."  Giges, Nancy S., August 2013. ASME.org

Giges's article recognizes the importance of combining multiple power sources to create a mass hybird renewable energy system. Giges focuses on remote or desolate areas where electrical grids are not available.  Her solution to this issue is to combine solar panel technology and wind turbines.  Giges discusses the long term payoff of the combined system and gives several examples of corporations that have successfully used the hybrid system.

I feel that this article discusses a topic that is generally ignored.  Most renewable energy sources are geared toward large corporations and consumers. Although, her article does not state how or who will be implementing the new hybrid technology in the desolate areas.  I appreciate the idea Giges is planting, but fail to see the practicality of the thesis.

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