The power plant is to be operated in a region where the same company operates several other coal fired power plants that were all built in the 1960s. The new power plant is planned to have 500 MW energy generating capacity. The next largest plant is 50 MW and each is emitting pollution at least twice the NSPS. Based on the design the power plant is planned to have a raw pollution rate of 4 times the NSPS

for SO2 and 10 times the NSPS for PM
10. To make things worse the region where this plant is to be built is already in non attainment for PM10 having a 24-hour mean concentration of 200μg/m3. Also, local laws don't allow the local 24hour average ground level concentration of PM10 to exceed twice the NAAQS levels at any residential structure, given a normal atmospheric class C and an average wind speed of 2.5m/s.

Determine the required reductions in SO2 and PM10 to be compliant with NAAQS and NSPS, and ultimately comply with the clean air act?

To determine the required reductions in SO2 and PM10 to be compliant with NAAQS (National Ambient Air Quality Standards) and NSPS (New Source Performance Standards), we need to compare the emissions from the new power plant with the regulatory limits.

1. Calculate NSPS Emission Limits:
NSPS for SO2 = NSPS rate (TW) x energy generating capacity (MW)
NSPS for PM10 = NSPS rate (TW) x energy generating capacity (MW)

Given that the NSPS for the existing power plants is at least twice the NSPS, we can calculate the NSPS rate for SO2 and PM10 as follows:
NSPS rate for SO2 = 2 x NSPS rate (TW)
NSPS rate for PM10 = 2 x NSPS rate (TW)

2. Calculate Raw Pollution Rate:
Raw Pollution Rate for SO2 = NSPS for SO2 x planned energy generating capacity (MW)
Raw Pollution Rate for PM10 = NSPS for PM10 x planned energy generating capacity (MW)

3. Determine Compliance with NSPS:
If the Raw Pollution Rate for SO2 is greater than 4 times the NSPS rate for SO2, and the Raw Pollution Rate for PM10 is greater than 10 times the NSPS rate for PM10, then the new power plant is not compliant with NSPS.

4. Determine Compliance with NAAQS:
For compliance with NAAQS, we need to take into account the existing pollutant levels and the local laws.

- PM10 Compliance:
The existing 24-hour mean concentration of PM10 is 200 μg/m3. The local law states that the 24-hour average ground level concentration of PM10 cannot exceed twice the NAAQS levels at any residential structure.

Using the atmospheric class C and average wind speed of 2.5 m/s, we can determine the NAAQS levels as follows:
NAAQS for PM10 = (24-hour mean concentration / 2) / (atmospheric class factor x wind speed factor)

- SO2 Compliance:
The NAAQS limits for SO2 is not given in the provided information. To determine compliance, we would need to compare the SO2 emissions from the power plant with the applicable NAAQS limits.

By comparing the emissions with the NSPS and NAAQS limits, you can determine the required reductions in SO2 and PM10 emissions to comply with the Clean Air Act. Please note that the specific calculations for the NAAQS levels and actual emissions may require additional information.