EPA OKs New Pollution Caps at Wisconsin Plant
Published Date: 7/15/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA wants to approve new nitrogen oxide (NOX) pollution limits for Wisconsin’s Oak Creek Power Plant. These new limits let the plant keep running while cutting pollution more than before, helping keep the air clean and safe. People can share their thoughts on this plan until August 14, 2026, but no big costs or delays are expected.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Slight reduction in annual NOX emissions
The EPA proposes to approve alternative limits for the Oak Creek Power Plant that would reduce the facility's estimated annual nitrogen oxides (NOX) emissions from 469.2 tons per year to 463.4 tons per year. The EPA's review found these limits will not cause violations of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
Numeric limits let peaking turbines operate
The proposed approval incorporates site-specific operational limits so the new Oak Creek peaking turbines can run as designed: 9 ppmdv NOX (30-day rolling average) during normal operation; limits of 57.1 pounds per start-up event and 31.7 pounds per shut-down event; start-up limited to 21 minutes and shut-down to 13 minutes; combined start-up/shut-down events limited to 2,500 per year; and a combined capacity factor cap of 20 percent. The permit also requires a continuous emissions monitoring system (CEMS) on each turbine to track NOX emissions.
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