PRIA, Government Policy, Made Personal

Summary

The Secretary must allow a powerplant to temporarily use natural gas or oil instead of the banned fuels if the plant files a petition and shows, after public comment, that despite trying in good faith: coal or another suitable fuel likely won't be available at a cost that is not much higher (including transport and handling); or site limits make using coal or another fuel impossible; or following the ban would break other environmental rules. The Secretary must also allow a temporary exemption if the plant proves it will switch to a synthetic fuel made from coal or another alternate fuel by the end of the exemption and cannot use that synthetic fuel until then. The plant must file and keep a compliance plan that meets section 8324(b). Exemptions usually may not last more than 5 years, but in the cost-lack or synthetic-fuel cases they can be extended up to 10 years. Time before a plant starts operating does not count toward these limits.

Title 42, §8321

The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)General exemption due to lack of alternate fuel supply, site limitations, or environmental requirements

After consideration of a petition (and comments thereon) for an exemption for a powerplant from the prohibitions of part A, the Secretary shall, by order, grant an exemption under this subsection for the use of natural gas or petroleum, if he finds that the petitioner has demonstrated that for the period of the proposed exemption, despite diligent good faith efforts—

(1)it is likely that an adequate and reliable supply of coal or other alternate fuel of the quality necessary to conform with design and operational requirements for use as a primary energy source will not be available to such powerplant at a cost (taking into account associated facilities for the transportation and use of such fuel) which, based upon the best practicable estimates, does not substantially exceed the cost, as determined by rule by the Secretary, of the fuel that would be used as a primary energy source;

(2)one or more site limitations exist which would ot permit the location or operation of such a powerplant using coal or any other alternate fuel as a primary energy source; or

(3)the prohibitions of section 8311 of this title could not be satisfied without violating applicable environmental requirements.

(b)Temporary exemption based upon future use of synthetic fuels (c) , (d) Repealed. Pub. L. 100–42, § 1(c)(5)(E), May 21, 1987, 101 Stat. 312

(1)the petitioner will comply with the prohibitions of part A by the end of the proposed exemption by the use of a synthetic fuel derived from coal or another alternate fuel; and

(2)the petitioner is not able to comply with such prohibitions by the use of such synthetic fuel until the end of the proposed exemption.

The effectiveness of an exemption under this subsection is conditioned on the petitioner filing and maintaining a compliance plan meeting the requirements of section 8324(b) of this title.

(e)Duration of temporary exemptions

(1)Except as provided in paragraph (2), exemptions under this section for any powerplant may not exceed, taking into account any extension or renewal, 5 years.

(2)(A)An exemption under subsection (a)(1) may be granted for a period of more than 5 years, but may not exceed, taking into account any extension or renewal, 10 years.

(B)An exemption under subsection (b) may be extended beyond the 5-year limit under paragraph (1), but such exemption, so extended, may not exceed 10 years.

(3)If an exemption is granted for any powerplant before the powerplant is placed in service, the period before it is placed in service shall not be taken into account in computing the 5-year and the 10-year limitations of paragraphs (1) and (2).

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1987—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100–42, § 1(c)(5)(A)–(D), substituted “from” for “or installation from one or more of” in introductory provisions, substituted “the fuel that would be used” for “using imported petroleum” and struck out “or installation” after “powerplant” in par. (1), struck out “or installation” after “powerplant” in par. (2), and struck out “or 8312” after “8311” in par. (3). Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100–42, § 1(c)(5)(A), substituted “from” for “or installation from one or more of”. Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100–42, § 1(c)(5)(E), struck out subsec. (c) which read as follows: “After consideration of a petition (and comments thereon) for an exemption for a powerplant or installation from one or more of the prohibitions of part A, the Secretary may, by order, grant an exemption under this subsection for the use of natural gas or petroleum, if he finds that the petitioner has demonstrated that for the period of the proposed exemption the issuance of such exemption would be in the public interest and would be consistent with the purposes of this chapter.” Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 100–42, § 1(c)(5)(E), struck out subsec. (d) which read as follows: “After consideration of a petition (and comments thereon) for an exemption from the prohibition of the use of petroleum under section 8312 of this title for an installation with a design capacity of consuming any fuel (or any mixture thereof) at a fuel heat input rate which does not exceed 300 million Btu’s per hour, the Secretary may, by order, grant an exemption under this subsection for the use of petroleum if he finds that the petitioner has demonstrated, by the existence of binding contracts or other evidence, including appropriate State

Construction

permits, that he will use coal or another alternate fuel for at least 75 percent of the annual fuel heat input rate upon the expiration of such exemption. For provisions relating to authority to receive, consider and granting (or denying) certain petitons [sic] for an exemption under this subsection, see section 902(b).” Subsec. (e)(1), (3). Pub. L. 100–42, § 1(c)(5)(B), struck out “or installation” after “powerplant” wherever appearing.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Exemption for Certain Electric Powerplants and Temporary Exemption Issued Under Subsection (d) as Effective Prior to 180 Days After November 9, 1978For effectiveness of exemption for certain electric powerplants and the temporary exemption issued under subsec. (d) of this section as prior to 180 days after Nov. 9, 1978, see section 902 of Pub. L. 95–620, set out as a note under section 8301 of this title.

§8321 Temporary Exemptions