Assessment of NOx RACT regulations on the emissions, cost of electricity and reliability of the New York electric system

In 2010, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation lowered the Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) limits for Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) for large stationary sources. Compliance with the RACT limits can be achieved by direct application of emission limits on the source, the use of flexibility mechanisms such as switching fuels or participation in an averaging plan, a commitment to shut down the emission source, or by case-by-case RACT determinations for combined cycle/cogeneration combustion turbines. This regulation will result in plants adding or modifying their emission controls or retiring. This paper presents the results of a study conducted by the New York Independent System Operator to determine the impacts of RACT on the generating fleet and to understand the schedule needed to implement emission controls. The methodology developed in this study can be used to study other similar emission control regulations.