Abby L. Harvey
GHG Monitor
10/30/2015
After being published in the Federal Register on Oct. 23, the comment period for the Environmental Protection Agency’s draft federal implementation plan (FIP) for the recently finalized carbon emissions standards for existing coal-fired power plants, the Clean Power Plan (CPP), has opened. Under the CPP, states are required to submit state implementation plans (SIPs) for reaching federally set state-specific carbon emissions reduction goals. If a state does not or cannot submit a SIP, the EPA holds the authority to enforce a FIP.
The proposed FIP was announced alongside the final CPP in early August. The plan presents two options: a mass- or rate-based emissions trading system. “EPA currently intends to finalize a single plan type (i.e., either mass-based or rate-based) for every state in which it finalizes a federal plan. EPA invites comment on this in the proposal, and which plan type, mass-based or rate-based, should be selected if the EPA opts to finalize a single approach,” according to an EPA fact sheet.
The comment period will last until Jan. 21, 2016, during which time interested parties are welcome to submit comments online, via mail, fax, or in person at EPA’s Washington, D.C. headquarters. EPA has provided details on how to comment on its website.
EPA will also hold four two-day public hearings on the rule. The first is scheduled for Nov. 12-13 at the William S. Moorhead Federal Building in Pittsburgh. The second will be held Nov. 16-17 at the EPA Region 8 office in Denver. A third hearing is planned for Nov. 18-19, at EPA headquarters in Washington, D.C., and a fourth will take place Nov. 19-20 at the Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center Main Tower Bridge Conference Center in Atlanta. The hearings on the first day in all locations will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 8 p.m. The hearings on the second day in all locations will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 5 p.m.
