Clean Air Mercury Rule

EPA’s Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR), promulgated May 18, 2005, will permanently cap and reduce mercury (Hg) emissions from coal-fired power plants.  When fully implemented, these rules will reduce nationwide utility emissions of mercury from 48 tons to 15 tons per year, a reduction of nearly 70%.  Like CAIR, CAMR establishes a market-based cap-and-trade system that is based on EPA’s Acid Rain Program and will be implemented in two phases.  EPA has assigned each state an emissions “budget” for mercury, and each state must submit a SIP revision detailing how it will meet its budget for reducing mercury from coal-fired power plants.  The state emission budgets are permanent, regardless of growth in the electric sector.  Additionally, new coal-fired boilers (“new” means construction commencing on or after January 30, 2004) will have to meet stringent new source performance standards in addition to being subject to the caps.

Louisiana’s Mercury Budget (in TPY)

CAMR Permits

CAMR permits will be issued and renewed by LDEQ’s Air Permits Division according to Title V regulations.  Each permit must identify the facility and each Hg Budget unit (coal-fired EGU), as well as the standard requirements under 40 CFR 60.4106.  Each permit is deemed to incorporate automatically the definitions of terms under 40 CFR 60.4102 and, upon recordation by EPA, every allocation, transfer, or deduction of an Hg allowance to or from the compliance account of the Hg Budget source.

CAMR Permit Application (to be available on or before December 31, 2007)

CAMR applications will be due on July 1, 2008, unless otherwise specified by LDEQ.

CAMR Fact Sheet

For more information, visit EPA's CAMR webpage.