Projecting future SO/sub x/ emissions from coal-fired utility boilers

According to the Fifth National Energy Policy Plan (NEPP-5) the electric utility industry is forecast to significantly increase its coal use in the future. By 2010, coal use is expected to be approximately twice that of current levels. Since coal-fired power plants are a major source of SO/sub x/ emissions, there is some concern that large increases in coal use will result in higher SO/sub x/ emissions in the future. The Clean Air Act may not be stringent enough to ensure that emissions will not increase in the future. On the basis of NEPP-5 energy projections, SO/sub x/ emissions are projected from coal-fired power plants using the AIRCOST model. Base-case projections show that national-level SO/sub x/ emissions are expected to rise slightly above current levels through 2000 and then decline through 2025. Some regions of the country, however, are forecast to experience significant increases in SO/sub x/ emissions, while other regions may experience decreases. 10 refs., 4 figs., 2 tabs.