EPA Advocates New Proposal to Constrict Power Plant Carbon Emissions

The EPA and current administration unveiled a new proposal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from U.S. power plants, a big step in the overall effort to reduce carbon emissions in favor of climate change.

The proposal limits how much carbon dioxide power plants can emit into the atmosphere, causing the industry to act by installing new equipment for monitoring or reevaluating current operations to implement the changes needed with the new proposal.

The proposal sets regulatory standards that would push power companies to install carbon capture equipment (CCS) that can eliminate CO2 from a plant’s smokestack before it reaches the atmosphere, or use a lower emissions gas chemical, such as hydrogen, as fuel. The EPA estimates the proposal would cut carbon emissions from coal plants and new gas plants by 617 million tons between 2028 and 2042.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan released a statement discussing the proposals new technology standards that should reduce greenhouse gas emissions from various high-producing sources. White House climate adviser Ali Zaidi stated the proposal will help the U.S. stay on track to achieve net-zero power sector emissions by 2035.

However, the proposal strains a Supreme Court ruling made in 2022 that the EPA could not impose a national fossil fuel to renewable energy project and can only regulate standards and operations with technology to better monitor greenhouse gas emissions. A group known as America’s Power, representing utilities that use coal, has vocalized the proposal challenges whether the EPA has the authority to force the use of technologies that are not “economically or technically feasible for widespread use.” They continued the conversation by mentioning current gas detection technologies and systems that allow many power companies to easily monitor emissions for the safety of workers on-site and in surrounding communities.

ION Science has over 30 years of industry experience designing, manufacturing, and supplying PID gas sensors, gas detection instruments, and leak detectors for a wide range of industries and applications. Our sensor technology and gas detection instruments are designed and developed by a talented in-house team and distributed worldwide via a global network of distributors.

By offering fixed, portable and personal gas detection systems, companies can easily maintain safety standards set by the company, state, and national government and safety agencies. We have a considerable understanding of fenceline monitoring as well, allowing ION Science to design advanced solutions to help industrial sites and surrounding communities understand how the emissions controls put in place are working. Monitoring results ensures emissions management systems are working as planned, and if they are not, can implement actions to diagnose any potential issues and make adjustments well before emissions levels become hazardous to the community or workers.

The Falco fenceline fixed gas detector offers continuous, fast, and reliable detection in high-humidity environments. It also boasts innovative typhoon technology for unrivaled accuracy without fault in condensing atmospheres and extreme weather conditions. This fixed photoionization detector helps companies remain completely compliant with site and legislative emission levels, and act quickly to rectify any flagged issues, such as fugitive emissions. Not only can these potentially cause health concerns, but they also represent a significant loss in economic terms through lost commodities and expensive remediation actions.

Designed specifically to ensure plant-wide safety and beyond, the device offers real-time monitoring and supports the ongoing protection of site workers in various applications. Our Falco is simple to install and easy to operate, whatever the facility. The instrument’s detector has four detection ranges available, including 0–10ppm, 0–50ppm, 0–1,000ppm, and 0–3,000ppm. It also offers both pump and diffused models.

Easy to maintain, the intrinsically safe external sensor is specifically designed for quick and easy servicing, without the requirement for a hot work permit.

Falco can be serviced quickly and calibrated in hazardous environments without having to remove the power. This makes the instrument ideal for installation virtually anywhere around external site perimeters and works continuously in hazardous areas. The innovative typhoon technology prevents condensation from forming on the sensor, helping stop Falco detectors from short-circuiting and making it ideal for harsh conditions or wet outdoor environments, without the need for weather enclosures.

To ensure the continued safety of companies and plants handling greenhouse gas emissions, ION Science offers a portfolio of instruments and sensors to monitor emissions. Check out our news page for more gas detection, industry, and company updates and articles. For more information regarding gas detection needs, or need to speak with a representative, call us at +1 (877) 864-7710 or info@ionscienceusa.com today!