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EPA Finalizes Greenhouse Gas Permit for Austin Energy Expansion

Release Date: 09/30/2014
Contact Information: Jennah Durant or Joe Hubbard, R6Press@epa.gov or 214 665-2200

DALLAS – (Sept. 30, 2014) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a final greenhouse gas (GHG) Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) construction permit to the city of Austin for the Sand Hill Energy Center. The city plans to add equipment and capacity at the facility’s combined-cycle electricity generating unit.

“The city of Austin shows how a growing economy can mean less pollution,” said Regional Administrator Ron Curry. “Austin is fighting climate change while fueling growth, modernizing its power sector and setting a foundation for a low-carbon economy.”

The permit authorizes Austin Energy to add a new combustion turbine and a new heat-recovery steam generator, both powered by natural gas, to the Sand Hill Energy Center in Travis County. The expansion will allow the facility to generate an addition 222 megawatts of gross electric power.

In June 2010, EPA finalized national GHG regulations, which specify that beginning on Jan. 2, 2011, projects that increase GHG emissions substantially will require an air permit.

EPA believes states are best equipped to run GHG air permitting programs. Texas is working to replace the federal implementation plan with its own State program, which will eliminate the need for businesses to seek air permits from EPA. This action will increase efficiency and allow industry to continue to grow in Texas.

EPA has finalized 53 GHG permits in Texas, proposed an additional seven permits, and currently has 12 additional GHG permits in development in Texas.

For all of the latest information on GHG permits in Texas please visit: https://yosemite.epa.gov/r6/Apermit.nsf/AirP

EPA is taking a variety of actions to cut greenhouse gas emissions and address the impacts of climate change. Most recently, EPA released a Clean Power Plan for existing power plants to cut carbon pollution by 30 percent below 2005 levels. Learn more about EPA’s actions at https://www.epa.gov/climatechange/.

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Activities in EPA Region 6: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.htm