EPA Backs New York Power Plant's NOx Reductions
Published Date: 11/20/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA wants to approve new pollution controls for the Athens Generating Plant in New York to reduce harmful nitrogen oxide emissions. This update helps the plant meet clean air rules without causing problems for local air quality. People can share their thoughts by December 22, 2025, but no big costs or delays are expected.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Athens plant NOX limits and monitoring
If you live in New York near the Athens Generating Plant, the EPA proposes to approve limits that cap the plant's nitrogen oxide (NOX) emissions. The proposed limits include 2.0 ppmv NOX (corrected to 15% O2) when firing natural gas and 9.0 ppmv NOX (corrected to 15% O2) when firing fuel oil, plus limits of 23.4 lbs/hour (natural gas) and 101.9 lbs/hour (fuel oil) averaged over a 3-hour block. The plant must monitor emissions with Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS), report results semi-annually, and maintain records for up to five years.
No new federal burdens on small businesses
The EPA states that approving New York's SIP revision merely approves state requirements and does not add federal requirements beyond state law. The action is certified as not having a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-14112, Amendments and Nonconformance Penalties for Model Year 2027 and Later Heavy-Duty Highway Engines and Amendments to Inducement Provisions for SCR-Equipped Diesel Engines
Starting with model year 2027, the EPA is updating rules for big truck engines to make sure they last longer and pollute less. They’re also letting engine makers pay penalties if their engines don’t meet standards, and tightening rules for special pollution-control systems on diesel engines. These changes affect truck and engine makers and kick in soon, with public feedback due by August 29, 2026.
2026-13667, Minor New Source Review Program Air Permitting Public Participation Requirements for State Implementation Plans
The EPA wants to give states more freedom to decide how much public input is needed when approving small air pollution sources or changes. This means local air agencies can tailor public participation to fit their community’s needs while still protecting air quality. If you’re involved in air permits, watch for comment deadlines and possible virtual hearings this summer!
2026-13263, Revisions To Establish the Sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 6) for Public Water Systems
The EPA is rolling out the sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 6) to check for new, sneaky chemicals in public drinking water. Big water systems serving 3,300+ people and some smaller ones will test for 30 different contaminants, including certain PFAS and pesticides, to keep our water safe. Comments and feedback are open until late August 2026, and the EPA will host fun online meetings to chat about the plan!
2026-12927, U.S. Ecology Nevada, Inc. High Mercury Subcategory Wastes Land Disposal Restrictions Variance
The EPA is giving U.S. Ecology Nevada a special green light to handle and dispose of high-mercury waste a bit differently than usual. This means mercury waste treated in Pennsylvania can now be safely sent to U.S. Ecology’s Nevada site for disposal under new rules starting July 27, 2026. This change helps protect people and the environment while keeping mercury waste management efficient and cost-effective.
2026-11047, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants From Hazardous Waste Combustors: Residual Risk and Technology Review
The EPA just updated rules for places that burn hazardous waste, like incinerators and boilers, to keep the air safe and clean. They confirmed current standards work well but added new limits on harmful gases like hydrogen fluoride and hydrogen cyanide. These changes start June 3, 2026, and include easier electronic reporting and some new rules for startup and shutdown times—helping protect health without big costs.
2026-10641, Hazardous and Solid Waste Management System: Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals From Electric Utilities; Federal CCR Permit Program; Reopening of Comment Period
The EPA is reopening the comment period until June 29, 2026, for its proposed rule to create a federal permit program for safely disposing of coal ash from power plants. This affects electric utilities that handle coal waste and aims to improve environmental safety while possibly impacting their costs. Now’s the time for everyone to share their thoughts and help shape the rules!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-20498, Air Plan Approval; Maine; Chapter 140: Part 70 Air Emission License Regulation
The EPA wants to approve some small but important updates to Maine’s air pollution permit rules. These changes make the rules clearer, fix grammar, and get ready for a new online application system. If you’re involved in air permits in Maine, you can comment on these updates until December 22, 2025.
Next: 2025-20549, Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Listing Endangered and Threatened Species and Designating Critical Habitat
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service want to update the rules for how animals and plants get listed as endangered or threatened and how their important habitats are protected. These changes will make the process clearer and easier to understand for everyone involved. If you have thoughts, you’ve got until December 22, 2025, to share them—so don’t miss out!