Department of the Environment
What Will It Take?
2013 Power Plant Regulations Stakeholder Meeting - October 21, 2013
Meeting the New Ozoneand Sulfur Dioxide Standards
Topics Covered• The new standards for ground level
ozone and sulfur dioxide (SO2)
– Background
– Maryland status
• Ozone Implementation
– What the science tells us
– Efforts to address ozone transport
– Maryland efforts to adopt new local pollution control programs
• SO2 Implementation
– Current status
The Good News
Progress in Cleaning Maryland’s Air
p. 4
15.8 15.914.5
11.7 11.3
17.1
11.1
12.915.616.215.9
0
4
8
12
16
20
2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012
Ann
ual P
M2.
5 (u
g/m
3 )
Annual Fine Particulate41 41 39
35
2930
42 4137
33 29
2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012
Dai
ly P
M2.
5 (
ug/m
3 )
0
10
20
30
40
50Daily Fine Particulate
152 147 143 137 126 121 119119
0
40
80
120
160
1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011
1-H
our
Ozo
ne (
ppb)
1-Hour Ozone 8-Hour Ozone
107 107 10494 93 91 89 93
1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011
8-H
our
Ozo
ne (
ppb)
0
40
80
120
Air Quality Trend Maps
p. 5
p. 6
Continuous Air Quality ProgressNumber of 90 Degree Days at BWI
11
29
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2009
2011
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1996
2007
1997
1990
1981
1984
1994
1999
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1982
1986
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1998
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1993
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1991
1980
Number of Maryland’sOzone Exceedance Days
11
11
13
14
14
15
16
17
18
21
22
22
22
27
29
32
34
35
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2003
1984
1989
1990
1982
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1992
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2008
2005
1986
1997
1994
1987
1999
2006
1998
2011
1993
2007
1980
2012
2002
1983
1991
1995
1988
2010
One-Hour SO2 TrendsMaximum 1-Hour SO2 Concentrations for Active Sites
Essex
Piney Run
HU-Beltsville
0
40
80
120
160
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
ppb
YearTotal Brandon Shores Wagner Crane Average Max 1-hour
2007 92,931 42,041 20,259 30,631 12.45 452.72008 79,282 39,924 15,006 24,352 11.08 172.72009 60,390 32,821 15,093 12,477 8.55 146.62010 15,877 1,260 9,028 5,589 6.77 86.42011 17,518 2,829 9,007 5,682 5.30 139.22012 12,494 2,848 7,473 2,173 4.55 67.8
SO2 Concentrations at Essex (ug/m3)
SO2 Emissions (Tons/Year)
Phase 1 SO2 controls under the MD Healthy
Air Act
A Ten Second Celebration
No Rest for the Weary
9
Comparing the Old and NewOzone Standards
Who is in nonattainment under the old standard?
Who might be nonattainment under the new standard?
Problem areas for the old85 ppb ozone standard
Problem areas for the 75(or 60 to 70) ppb ozone standard
The New Challenges
The New Ozone Standard - Background
• Finalized by EPA in 2008
– 75 ppb as an 8-hour standard
• Delayed in 2010
– EPA announced plans to adopt an even more stringent standard (in the 60 to 70 ppb range)
• This range was consistent with EPA’s science advisors
• 2011 - Decision to not move ahead with more stringent standard announced
• June 2012 – EPA designates 3 areas in Maryland as “nonattainment”
– Other areas across the Country also designated nonattainment
The New SO2 Standard - Background
• Finalized by EPA in 2010
– 75 ppb as a 1-hour standard
• August 2013 – EPA only designated areas of the country that were monitoring nonattainment
• Rest of country, including all of Maryland, has not been designated:
– Neither “unclassified/attainment” nor “nonattainment” designation
– Undesignated areas will be designated in 2017-2020, based on monitoring or modeling data yet to be collected
– Early attainment option also included in draft EPA guidance
Implementing the New Standards• Ozone
– Maryland must submit an updated NOx RACT SIP for the new 75 ppb standard by July 2014
• SO2
– Maryland can take advantage of “early action” concepts in EPA’s Feb. 2013 strategy paper:
• Avoid “nonattainment” designation for 1-hr SO2
• A Multi-Pollutant Approach for power plants and these new standards
– Additional reductions from power plants will be needed to meet both new standards
– MDE plans to adopt regulations that address both pollutants at once
• More efficient, avoids inconsistent requirements, but some timing challenges
Implementing the New Ozone
Standard
15
Baltimore – The Last Purple Dot
Parts per Billion (ppb)
<7171-7374-7576-85 (mar)>85 (mod)
• Only area in the East designated as a “Moderate” nonattainment area
– 2015 SIP & 2018 attainment
– Rest of the East is “Marginal”• 2013-2015 attainment
• No requirements to do anything
• Still not meeting old 85 ppb standard
June 8, 2011
Map is courtesy of EPA AIRNow.
A Little Glimpse at the Science
• 20 plus year “science partnership” with UMCP, UMBC, HU, PSU, EPA and others
• Local emissions in Cities (nonattainment areas) – Reducing local emissions is always important
• Three distinct types of transport– Short range - City to city
• “Ground level” transport
• Washington to Baltimore, Baltimore to Philadelphia, etc.
– Westerly, Long range (up-over-and-down)• “Aloft” transport - 100s of miles
• Generally from W or NW
– Southerly, Nocturnal Low Level Jet (NLLJ)• “Aloft” transport at night !!!
• 100s of miles
• SW to NE – a “jet” of air funneled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Appalachian Mountains
• 20 plus year “science partnership” with UMCP, UMBC, HU, PSU, EPA and others
• Local emissions in Cities (nonattainment areas) – Reducing local emissions is always important
• Three distinct types of transport– Short range - City to city
• “Ground level” transport
• Washington to Baltimore, Baltimore to Philadelphia, etc.
– Westerly, Long range (up-over-and-down)• “Aloft” transport - 100s of miles
• Generally from W or NW
– Southerly, Nocturnal Low Level Jet (NLLJ)• “Aloft” transport at night !!!
• 100s of miles
• SW to NE – a “jet” of air funneled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Appalachian Mountains
Where Does Our Ozone Come From?There are Four Distinct Parts
Will Regional Controls Work?
2 1 25
18
23
77
50
13
8
30
15
62 2
2 3 5 10
28
51
128
178191
199
229
244250 252 254
0
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60
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90
1995 1997 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
0
50
100
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250Number of Units
Cumulative Total Units 1.92
1.22
0.59 0.520.38
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
1990 2000 2005 2008 2009
Year
Ozo
ne S
easo
n N
OX (
mil
lio
n t
on
s) .
1.92
1.22
0.59 0.520.38
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
1990 2000 2005 2008 2009
Year
Ozo
ne
Sea
son
NO
X (
mil
lio
n t
on
s) .
• Case study – 2004 NOx SIP Call
• The classic ozone transport story
– Incoming ozone levels (as high as 80 ppb) collect in an elevated reservoir over night
– Real world programs like the NOx SIP call have shown that
• Adding regional controls
• Results in regional NOx emission reductions …
• Which lead to reduced ozone in the elevated reservoir …
• Which lead to lower ozone at ground level and public health protection!
• Case study – 2004 NOx SIP Call
• The classic ozone transport story
– Incoming ozone levels (as high as 80 ppb) collect in an elevated reservoir over night
– Real world programs like the NOx SIP call have shown that
• Adding regional controls
• Results in regional NOx emission reductions …
• Which lead to reduced ozone in the elevated reservoir …
• Which lead to lower ozone at ground level and public health protection!
80 ppb at 2
000 ft.
at 6 a.m
.
Morning Elevated Reservoir of Ozone Above the OTR
Huge Investment in SCRs in 2003 and
2004
Regional NOx Emissions Drop
Dramatically in 2004
Ozone Levels in the Elevated Reservoir
Reduced by 25% after 2004
Ground Level Ozone Drops Dramatically in the Same Time
FrameMaryland's 8-Hour Ozone Design Value per Year
60
80
100
120
1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008
Year
8-Ho
ur O
zone
Des
ign
Valu
e (p
pb)
8-Hour Ozone Design Value (ppb) 8-Hour Ozone Standard (85 ppb)8-Hour Ozone Standard (75 ppb)
The Path Forward• We understand the science of ozone
better than ever
• We’ve implemented programs that have worked in the real world
• We need a two-part strategy– Local (Baltimore and Washington)
controls are still critical • Can help reduce about 1/3 of the ozone
problem in most OTC cities
– National/super-regional controls are now essential to reduce transport
• Incoming ozone is already measured at levels above the 75 ppb standard
• Regional contribution represents approximately 2/3 (or more) of the ozone problem in most OTC cities
Will This Strategy Get Us to 75 ppb?
19
PRELIMINARY OTCMODELING,
“SCENARIO 4,”GENERALLY GETS
US TO THE 75 PPB STANDARD
Benefits Outside ofthe OTR are
even More Dramatic
Before After
Potential Transport Actions• A group of Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states
have been working together to push for a clear action plan to address transport– A great deal of frustration
• Earlier efforts by EPA have fallen short or ended up in Court
• Clean Air Act “Tools” that are in the works:– Pushing & supporting federal measures
– Making recommendations for very large nonattainment areas (Section 107)
– Challenging upwind states’ “Transport SIPs” (the Section 110(a)(2)(D) “Good Neighbor” SIP)
– Filing Section 176A Petition to expand the Ozone Transport Region
– Filing Section 126 petitions against stationary sources
– Creating another “state partnership” effort, like OTAG
“Those of us in the Northeasthave a simple message for our friends upwind:
it is time for you to act. While we haveinvested heavily in cleaning up our power plants
for too long, many states have failed to do the same.This failure threatens the health of our citizens, damages
sensitive ecosystems, and distorts economic activity,” said Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy (D)
in an address at the meeting.
“Let me be clear about this -- our patience has run out.The time to curb these emissions is now. If necessary,
the Northeast states will press this case at the highest levels of our federal government and the highest
courts in our nation,” Malloy said.
ECOS Meeting - June 7, 2012
Working on TransportData through 9/28/2011
• Individual or groups of states – Not OTC – can consider taking action.
• Some states (MD, DE, CT and DC) have already taken action under Sections 107 and 110
• NY, MD, DE, CT, DC, MA, RI and VT are close to filing a petition under Section 176A
Other Transport Activities• EPA’s Proposed Tier 3 and Low Sulfur
Fuel Regulation
– The most important control program left to reduce ground level ozone
• Will dramatically reduce mobile source NOx emissions by 2018
• The Cross-State Air Pollution Rule
– Focused on power plants
– Rejected/Vacated by DC Circuit Court
– U.S. Supreme Court case starts December 10, 2013
• EPA Meetings on Transport
– EPA will develop a rule establishing “good neighbor” responsibilities for upwind states
– Will leave “remedy” or “solution” to the states
Pushing Local Controls• Maryland continues to push new local
controls
– Lessons learned from the $2.6 Billion Healthy Air Act
• Moving forward with strengthening regulations
– Tougher controls on distributed generation sources, incinerators, cement kilns, and more
– Multiple new area source control efforts (many through OTC Committees)
• Mobile sources reductions & conformity regulation effort
– Our science tells us that the #1 local emissions to target for reductions is NOx from mobile sources
Reducing Mobile Source Emissions in MD
• Maryland Clean Cars program
– Last update just approved
• EPA’s Tier 3 and Low Sulfur Fuel program
– Critical to Maryland
– Largest NOx emission reducing program left
– Support from many – including Maryland
• Maryland’s Long Range Planning Targets for Transportation Planning Regulation
– Briefed AQCAC several times already
– Designed to further reduce NOx emissions from local (Baltimore and Washington) mobile sources
– Still controversial
• Electric Vehicle Initiatives
Stationary (Smokestack) Sources• Power Plants
– The topic of today’s meeting
– Have seen huge NOx, SO2 and mercury reductions from the Healthy Air Act
– That said, were working to address several issues that need to be addressed
• Short-term emissions
• Plant-by-plant controls
• Distributed generation sources
– Focus on making sure that behind the meter units that run as part of demand response programs are clean – bad timing
• Cement kilns
• More …
New Regional Control Efforts
• MDE works with 13 other states that are part of the Ozone Transport Commission (OTC) to evaluate and develop model rules or model programs for priority categories
• Current efforts include:
– Consumer Products
– Architectural and Industrial Maintenance Coatings
– Solvent Degreasing
– Demand Response
– Asphalt Paving
– Ports
– Idling
– More …
Priorities• Highest Priority
– Transport
• Highest Priority for Local Control
– Mobile sources• Tier 3/LSF
• EV initiatives
• Long Range Planning Target for Transportation Planning Regulation
• Second Highest Priority for Local Control
– Power Plants
– Distributed Generation sources
• Other Priorities– All other initiatives
Implementing the New SO2 Standard
A Different Kind of Standard• New SO2 standard is very different:
– Focus is on ambient air quality in areas around and impacted by larger stationary sources
• Other standards, such as ozone and PM:
– Linked to diverse set of sources• Power plants, cars, and many other
sources
– High levels can be found anywhere across a broad region
• This standard shines a spotlight on power plants and other large stationary sources of SO2 – and requires us to look at exposures close to the source
The EPA Process• Standard finalized in 2010
• 2011 - EPA issues draft guidance that based nonattainment designations primarily on modeling analyses
– Linked to the source-specific nature of the standard
• 2012 – EPA has a series of discussions and meetings
– Multiple stakeholders involved
• Early 2013 – EPA releases a strategy paper and technical assistance documents that moved away from the modeling focused approach
– Now proposing a “hybrid” approach that could include monitoring and/or modeling
The Hybrid Approach for Designations
• Basic pieces:
– The role for modeling
– The role for monitoring
– Early action alternative to avoid a nonattainment “designation” all together
• Expect legal challenges
• Maryland plans to use the early action alternative to insure expeditious public health protection
Hybrid Approach – The Schedule
• 2013 – Earliest time for states to take action– The early action option in EPA strategy
• 2016 – Modeling protocols for states choosing to use modeling to support designations
• 2017 – Monitoring operating for states that choose to use monitors to support designations – Need 3 years of data to support designations
• Designations– Never – If using early action provisions
– If modeling path chosen – as early as 2017
– If monitoring path chosen – as early as 2020
• State Implementation Plans (SIPs) due:– 2019 for modeling path
– 2022 for monitoring path
• Controls would be required in the 2020 to 2023 timeframe as part of the SIPs
Implementation in Maryland
• All of Maryland’s coal fired power plants will need to be analyzed, and if necessary, controlled to comply with this new standard
• To use the early attainment alternative, states must work with sources to:– Review emissions and controls
– Establish appropriate short-term SO2 emission limits
– Model to show that those emissions will not cause exceedances of the new standard
– Add controls if the modeling shows that additional controls are necessary
Maryland’s 2013 Power Plant Regulations
• Power plants are critical emission sources for both the new ozone and sulfur dioxide standards
• For ozone, Maryland must update it’s power plant regulations by July of 2014
• For SO2, states may work to take early action and insure attainment as early as 2013
• Maryland plans to adopt multi-pollutant power plant regulations in 2014 to comply with the two new standards
Proposed Regulatory Schedule
• Earlier 2013– Preliminary discussions with interested
stakeholders
• October 21, 2013– First formal stakeholder meeting
• November 2013 to April 2014– Additional stakeholder meetings and
discussions
• April/May 2014– Proposed Regulation to Maryland Air
Quality Control Advisory Council (AQCAC)
• July 2014– Regulation fully adopted
– RACT SIP submitted to EPA
Questions?