Analysis of the Proposed MATS Risk and Technology Review (RTR)
On April 3, 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to strengthen and update the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units (EGUs), commonly known as the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) for power plants, to reflect recent developments in control technologies and the performance of these plants. EPA’s power sector analysis for this proposed rule uses EPA’s Post-IRA 2022 Reference Case.
Documentation for the EPA’s Post-IRA 2022 Reference Case
For the power sector analysis of the proposed MATS RTR, the EPA relied on the Post-IRA 2022 Reference Case. The links below provide information regarding this reference case. Additional detail regarding analysis of the proposed rule is provided in the documentation supplement linked below.
- Post-IRA 2022 Reference Case
- NEEDS for EPA Post-IRA 2022 Reference Case: rev: 10-14-22 (xlsx)
- EPA’s IPM Post-IRA 2022 Reference Case Documentation Supplement (pdf)
IPM Run Files
Download IPM run files for the proposed MATS RTR using the links in the table below. Click on the IPM run name in the first column of the table below to download a file. The files are posted in one of two formats, a zipped archive or an excel spreadsheet, and contain detailed IPM input and output files (i.e., .DAT, System Summary Report, .RPE, and RPT files) for the listed runs. Review the Guide to IPM Input/Output Files (pdf) .
More detailed information on the modeling framework, specific scenarios, assumptions, and other important details of the analysis can be found in the Regulatory Impact Analysis (pdf) that accompanies the proposed rule.
| IPM Run Name | IPM Run Description |
|---|---|
| The baseline for this proposed rule. Includes the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), the proposed GNP, the Revised CSAPR Update, MATS, 2015 ELG, 2015 CCR, and the recently finalized 2020 ELG and CCR rules. It also includes key fleet updates regarding new units, retiredh units, and control retrofits that were known by October 2022. | |
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This scenario includes a revised filterable PM standard for EGUs of 0.010 lb/MMBtu and a revised mercury standard for lignite-fired EGUs of 1.2 lb/TBtu. |
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| More Stringent Alternative (zip) | This scenario includes a revised filterable PM standard for EGUs of 0.006 lb/MMBtu and a revised mercury standard for lignite-fired EGUs of 1.2 lb/TBtu. |