Updates in Power Sector Modeling Baseline Projections for 2015 Ozone NAAQS Actions

This document describes the updates made in the EPA's Power Sector Modeling assumptions that are
incremental to the EPA's Power Sector Modeling Platform v6 using IPM Summer 2021 Reference Case.

The Updated Summer 2021 Reference Case uses NEEDS rev: 08_03_2022 (NEEDS Summer 2022)
reflecting the updates in retirements and committed units as of Summer 2022, in addition to unit level
comments the Agency has received during the comment period of the Proposed Good Neighbor Plan
and the Proposed 2015 Ozone NAAQS SIP Disapprovals that are determined to be accurate. Modeling
inputs also include some additional updates based on EPA's research. The list of updates is given below:

i)	Retirements from NEEDS rev: 08_03_2022 are implemented.

ii)	IPM-based projected economic retirement capability is deactivated for year 2023 reflecting the
notion that any 2023 retirements are likely already announced and captured through the
aforementioned NEEDS file.

iii)	Committed new units from NEEDS rev: 08_03_2022 are implemented with the exception of new
units for new solar and new wind units were still in the "planned" status rather than a "under
construction" or "approved" status.

iv)	IPM projected economic new builds are allowed to ensure IPM feasibility in 2023.

v)	Combined cycle unit NOx rates are updated and reflect a methodology producing more
representative rates.

vi)	Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act related requirements are implemented.

a.	A new 100% clean energy constraint in 2050 in Illinois is implemented. Also updated are
the IL RPS standards to 40% in 2030 and 50% in 2040.

b.	IPM retirements of Braidwood, Byron, and Dresden nuclear plants in the 2023 and 2025
run years are not allowed.

c.	Fossil units in Illinois are retired or/and their C02 emissions are limited as in the table
below. CT/CC new builds in PJM_COMD and MISJL regions disabled in the 2045, 2050,
and-2055 run years.

Private/Public

Fuel

C02 Limit

Retirement Run







Year

Private

Coal

-

2030



Oil

-

2030



Gas

Reduce C02 emissions by 50% from the 2018-2020

2045





average levels by 2035



Public

Coal

Reduce C02 emissions by 45% from the 2018-2020

2050





average levels by 2035





Oil

-

-



Gas

-

2045

vii) Henry Hub gas prices of 5.07 2019$/MMBtu and 3.60 2019$/MMBtu are hardwired in the 2023
and 2025 run years, respectively. No changes are assumed to basis and seasonality. The 2023
modification captures near-term fuel price spikes and are not applied in subsequent years as
market conditions are expected to return to alignment with base supply curve expectations.


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viii) Coal supply curve costs in 2023 are adjusted using the cost scalars below to capture near-term
fuel price spikes. These scalers are not applied for subsequent years as market conditions are
expected to return to alignment with base supply curve expectations.



Coal

Coal Supply







Affected Coal Grade

Grade

Region

Coal Supply Region

Coal Basin

Cost Scalar

Central Appalachia 12,500 Btu, 1.2 S02

BB

KE

Kentucky, East

Central Appalachia

1.156

Central Appalachia 12,500 Btu, 1.2 S02

BB

TN

Tennessee

Central Appalachia

1.156

Central Appalachia 12,500 Btu, 1.2 S02

BB

VA

Virginia

Central Appalachia

1.156

Central Appalachia 12,500 Btu, 1.2 S02

BB

WS

West Virginia, South

Central Appalachia

1.156

Illinois Basin 11,800 Btu, 5.0 S02

BG

IL

Illinois

East Interior (Illinois
Basin)

1.757

Illinois Basin 11,800 Btu, 5.0 S02

BG

IN

Indiana

East Interior (Illinois
Basin)

1.757

Illinois Basin 11,800 Btu, 5.0 S02







East Interior (Illinois



BG

KW

Kentucky, West

Basin)

1.757

Northern Appalachia 13,000 Btu, <3.0











S02

BE

MD

Maryland

Northern Appalachia

1.196

Northern Appalachia 13,000 Btu, <3.0











S02

BE

OH

Ohio

Northern Appalachia

1.196

Northern Appalachia 13,000 Btu, <3.0











S02

BE

PC

Pennsylvania, Central

Northern Appalachia

1.196

Northern Appalachia 13,000 Btu, <3.0











S02

BE

PW

Pennsylvania, West

Northern Appalachia

1.196

Northern Appalachia 13,000 Btu, <3.0











S02

BE

WN

West Virginia, North

Northern Appalachia

1.196

Powder River Basin 8,800 Btu, 0.8 S02

SA

WH

Wyoming, Powder River Basin
(8800)

Powder River Basin

1.46

Powder River Basin 8,400 Btu, 0.8 S02

SA

WL

Wyoming, Powder River Basin
(8400)

Powder River Basin

1.46

ix) The minimum capacity factor requirements of 10% to existing coal steam units in regions without
capacity markets (non-NYISO, ISONE, PJM, and MISO regions) have been implemented as listed below.

Model Region

Model Region

Model Region

Model Region

ERC_REST

S_C_TVA

WEC_CALN

WECC_SNV

ERC_WEST

S_SOU

WEC_LADW

WECC_UT

ERC_PHDL

SPP_NEBR

WEC_SDGE

WECC_PNW

ERC_GWAY

SPP_N

WECC_SCE

WECC_CO

FRCC

SPP_KIAM

WECC_MT

WECC_WY

S_VACA

SPP_WEST

WEC_BANC

WECC_AZ

S_C_KY

SPP_SPS

WECCJD

WECC_NM

S_D_AECI

SPP_WAUE

WECC_NNV

WECCJID

x) For the coal units with post 2023 retirement years, the retrofit capital charge rates were

recalculated based on a booklife equal to the remaining life in 2025. The year 2025 was chosen
as 2025 contains calendar year 2026 mapping. 2026 is the first year of the GNP when SCR
retrofits might be required.


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