# Standards of Performance for New and Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Steam Generating Units > **Rule** · Final rule. · Published 2005-05-18 · Effective 2005-07-18 · 70 FR 28606 ## Document - **Document number:** 05-8447 - **Category:** air-emissions - **Federal Register citation:** 70 FR 28606 - **CFR reference:** 40 CFR 60 - **Publication date:** 2005-05-18 - **Effective date:** 2005-07-18 - **EPA docket:** OAR-2002-0056 ## Abstract In this document, EPA is finalizing the Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR) and establishing standards of performance for mercury (Hg) for new and existing coal-fired electric utility steam generating units (Utility Units), as defined in Clean Air Act (CAA) section 111. The amendments to CAA section 111 rules would establish a mechanism by which Hg emissions from new and existing coal-fired Utility Units are capped at specified, nation-wide levels. A first phase cap of 38 tons per year (tpy) becomes effective in 2010, and a second phase cap of 15 tpy becomes effective in 2018. Facilities must demonstrate compliance with the standard by holding one "allowance" for each ounce of Hg emitted in any given year. Allowances are readily transferrable among all regulated facilities. Such a "cap-and-trade" approach to limiting Hg emissions is the most cost-effective way to achieve the reductions in Hg emissions from the power sector. The added benefit of the cap-and-trade approach is that it dovetails well with the sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOX) emission caps under the final Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) that was signed on March 10, 2005. CAIR establishes a broadly-applicable cap-and-trade program that significantly limit SO2 and NOX emissions from the power sector. The advantage of regulating Hg at the same time and using the same regulatory mechanism as for SO2 and NOX is that significant Hg emissions reductions, especially reductions of oxidized Hg, can and will be achieved by the air pollution controls designed and installed to reduce SO2 and NOX. Significant Hg emissions reductions can be obtained as a "co-benefit" of controlling emissions of SO2 and NOX; thus, the coordinated regulation of Hg, SO2, and NOX allows Hg reductions to be achieved in a cost- effective manner. The final rule also finalizes a performance specification ## Source - [Federal Register document](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2005/05/18/05-8447/standards-of-performance-for-new-and-existing-stationary-sources-electric-utility-steam-generating) --- *AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*