U.S. Starts National CO2 Permits, Cap-and-Trade Works, and More

"The U.S. has begun to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants—quietly, with little fanfare and starting in Texas."

"The Thomas C. Ferguson Power Plant in Llano County is being modernized with the installation of a combined cycle natural gas-fired turbine for improved efficiency at generating electricity. The refurbished “peaker” plant—so-called because it is fired up when electricity demand peaks in nearby Austin and elsewhere in Texas’s grid—will cut smog-forming emissions. Sensors to monitor greenhouse gas pollution also will be added to the plant.

The U.S. has begun to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants—quietly, with little fanfare and starting in Texas. The Thomas C. Ferguson Power Plant in Llano County is being modernized with the installation of a combined cycle natural gas-fired turbine for improved efficiency at generating electricity. The refurbished “peaker” plant—so-called because it is fired up when electricity demand peaks in nearby Austin and elsewhere in Texas’s grid—will cut smog-forming emissions. Sensors to monitor greenhouse gas pollution also will be added to the plant."

David Biello reports for Scientific American's Observations blog November 16, 2011.