Controlling SO/sub 2/ emissions from coal-fired steam-electric generators: solid waste impact. Volume I. Executive summary. Final task report April--December 1977

The study assesses the technological, economic, and environmental impacts, projected to 1998, of the increased solid wastes resulting from the application of various more-stringent controls as well as of the current New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for SO2 emissions from coal-fired steam-electric generators. The study supports a review of the NSPS, by EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, that defines a number of control strategies (e.g., increased scrubbing efficiency and coal washing) for achieving several levels of SO2 emission control, with emphasis on levels more stringent than the current NSPS. The study considers three alternative strategies (1.2 and 0.5 lb SO2/million Btu, and 90% SO2 removal), three plant sizes (1000, 500, and 25 MW), and five flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems (lime, limestone, double alkali, magnesium oxide, and Wellman Lord). Typical eastern and western coals, as well as coal washing, are included. The study groundrules include: (1) the nationwide survey to be 1978-1998; (2) new-plant-installed capacities during that interval (FPC projection); (3) 1980 as the effective date for the more stringent standards; and (4) western coal burned during the 1980-1998 period to be 45% of the total burned nationwide (variations in the western coal percentage were also evaluated).