Stationary Gas and Combustion Turbines: New Source Performance Standards (NSPS)

Rule Summary

Stationary combustion turbines are a type of internal combustion engine that is composed of three main sections. The first section, the compressor, draws air into the engine, pressurizes it, and feeds it to the combustion chamber. Fuel is mixed with the compressed air and the mixture is burned in the combustion chamber. The combustion produces a high temperature, high pressure gas stream that enters and expands through the final section, the turbine section. As hot combustion gas expands through the turbine section, it spins rotating blades which turn a shaft. The rotating blades both drive the compressor to draw more pressurized air into the combustion section and either spin a generator to produce electricity or a mechanical drive (e.g., a compressor).

The turbine exhaust gases are hot enough, several hundred degrees, to produce additional useful output.  Combined cycle and combined heat and power units use heat recovery steam generators (HRSG) to produce steam from the thermal energy in the turbine exhaust. This steam can either be used to produce additional electricity or for direct heating applications.  

The New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for stationary combustion turbines are outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations under 40 CFR Part 60 Subparts GG and KKKK. Subpart GG covers turbine engines that commenced constructed after October 3, 1977 and before February 18, 2005. Subpart KKKK covers both the combustion turbine engine and any associated heat recovery steam generator for units that commenced construction after February 18, 2005. The key pollutants EPA regulates from these sources includes nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2).

Rule History

08/29/2012 – Proposed Rule (Stationary Gas Turbines and Stationary Combustion Turbines, subparts GG & KKKK)

03/20/2009 – Direct Final Rule (Stationary Combustion Turbines, subpart KKKK)

07/06/2006 – Final Rule (Stationary Combustion Turbines, subpart KKKK)

02/24/2006 – Proposed Rule & Direct Final Rule (Stationary Gas Turbines, Subpart GG)

02/18/2005 – Proposed Rule (Stationary Combustion Turbines, subpart KKKK)

07/08/2004 – Final Rule; amendments (Stationary Gas Turbines, Subpart GG)

05/28/2003 – Withdrawal of Direct Final Rule (Stationary Gas Turbines, Subpart GG)

04/14/2003 – Proposed Rule & Direct Final Rule (Stationary Gas Turbines, Subpart GG)

11/05/1987 – Final Rule; correction (Stationary Gas Turbines, Subpart GG)

01/27/1982 – Final Rule (Stationary Gas Turbines, Subpart GG)

04/15/1981 – Proposed Rule (Stationary Gas Turbines, Subpart GG)

09/10/1979 – Final Rule (Stationary Gas Turbines, subpart GG)

10/03/1977 - Proposed Rule (Stationary Gas Turbines, subpart GG)

Additional Resources

Response to Public Comments on Proposed Standards of Performance for Stationary Combustion Turbines (February 2006)

Economic Impact Analysis of the Stationary Combustion Turbines NSPS: Final Report (February 2006)

Economic Impact Analysis of the Proposed Stationary Combustion Turbines NSPS: Final Report (February 2005)

View the supporting documents in the docket folder to find additional related documents to the rules.

Related Rules

Stationary Combustion Turbines: National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP)

Alternative Control Techniques Document: NOx Emissions from Stationary Gas Turbines