Speech docs – michigan ap – ndt 2013 r1 neg v louisville vw

n The mix of fossil fuel–fired steam generators and natural gas combined-cycle plants differs from state to state, varying from almost entirely coal to almost entirely natural gas.

n Compared with other categories of industrial sources, the power plant fleet is operated to a unique extent as an integrated system on a state or regional basis, with interdependent management decisions on when to operate, build, upgrade, and retire individual units.

n Depending on their type and starting point, existing generating units can reduce their own CO2 emission rates by improving generation efficiency (improving heat rates) or by switching to or co-firing with lower-emitting fuels (e.g., natural gas or biomass).

n Covered units within a state or group of states can reduce their average emission rates through additional tools, including dispatch shifts (e.g., running lower-emitting plants more and higher-emitting plants less).

n Covered units can reduce their emissions by increasing generation from renewable and other non-emitting plants.

n Covered units can reduce their emissions by increasing end-use electrical energy efficiency.

These system-wide compliance options can allow more substantial emission reductions—at lower overall cost—than the restricted set of measures that individual units can take on their own.