NATURAL GAS SUPPLY ASSOCIATION

805 15th Street N.W., Suite 510
Washington, D.C. 20005


DATE: July 10, 1997

CONTACT: Charlotte LeGates

PHONE: 202/326-9316

FAX: 202/326-9334

E-MAIL: <clegates@ngsa.org>

TO: Energy Reporters Covering the Ongoing Acid Rain Phase II NOx Case

RE: Intervenors' Brief

Several reporters have inquired about the ongoing court case in which coal-based utilities and the coal-mining industry are attempting to turn back an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that restricts nitrogen oxide (NOx ) emissions in connection with Acid Rain. NGSA is an intervenor in this case and recently worked with other intervenors to file a reply brief. Bruce Craig, NGSA's director of utility and environmental affairs, has written up the following summary of the current situation:

On July 2, 1997, NGSA filed an "Intervenors" brief in support of EPA's Phase II Acid Rain NOxrule. The court required NGSA to file a common brief with all respondent intervenors, including the Coalition for Gas-Based Environmental Solutions, PSE&G, and INGAA. GRI also participated in the rulemaking but did not file for intervention.

NGSA comments are included in the brief in response to several specific charges of the petitioners regarding the reliability of natural gas supply, the use of EIA price forecasts, and the applicability of gas-reburn technology to utility boilers. We believe that this combined intervenors' brief, which supplements the EPA's reply brief, provides a succinct and substantive legal and technical basis for the court to uphold the EPA Acid Rain NOx rule as proposed.

Oral arguments in the case are scheduled for October 1997. A court decision is expected by year-end.

If defense of EPA's Acid Rain Part II NOx rule is ultimately successful, natural gas consumption could rise by 200 bcf/year by 2000-2001, when the regulations become effective. The rise is predicated on the use of gas reburn technology in some existing wet-bottom and cyclone boilers to meet the new limits established in the rule.

Please call Bruce Craig at 202/326-9300 if you have additional questions about this suit or NGSA's comments to the court.

The Natural Gas Supply Association represents producers and marketers of domestic natural gas.



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This page was last updated August 31, 1997