NUMBERS FROM OTHER COUNTIES. PENNSYLVANIA LAWMAKERS ARE WEIGHING IN ON THE EPA’S NEW RULES THAT CRACK DOWN ON COAL FIRED PLANTS. IN ESSENCE, IF PLANTS CAN’T CUT 90% OF THEIR POLLUTION IN THE NEXT DECADE, THEY’LL BE FORCED TO SHUT DOWN REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN DAN MEUSER SAYS THIS IS AN ASSAULT ON AMERICAN ENERGY FROM THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, AND THAT A LARGE MAJORITY OF THE US ENERGY GRID STILL RELIES ON POWER FROM COAL PLANTS. MEUSER IS CO-CHAIR OF THE CONGRESSIONAL COAL CAUCUS, WHICH REPRESENTS MINERS AND COAL MINING COMPANIES IN WASHINGTON. BUT RESEARCHERS HERE IN PENNSYLVANIA SAY THESE RULES WILL PROPEL THE COMMONWEALTH TOWARD A CLEANER ATMOSPHERE. FLEURY FLORA CARDONE FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA RESEARCH AND POLICY CENTER SAID IN HER OWN STATEMENT THAT PENNSYLVANIA HAS BEEN A BIG PART OF THE CLIMATE POLLUTION
Pennsylvania congressman criticizes EPA's new rules limiting pollution from coal plants
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Updated: 5:48 PM EDT Apr 26, 2024
A Pennsylvania congressman is criticizing the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection's new rules to cut pollution from coal-burning plants.Rep. Dan Meuser, R-9, is the co-chair of the Congressional Coal Caucus and said the rules are "just the latest assault on American energy."The EPA is requiring coal plants that plan to stay open beyond 2039 to cut or capture 90% of their carbon dioxide emissions by 2032. Future electric plants fueled by coal or gas would have to control up to 90% of their carbon pollution.Meuser said the rule sets unrealistic standards and is effectively trying to force coal plants to close early, as well as preventing new plants from opening.He added that it will worsen the grid reliability crisis."Despite the warnings of grid transmission operators, utilities, grid reliability experts, and regulators that the U.S. is facing a grid reliability crisis compounded by surging power demand, the EPA has ignored those warnings and pushed ahead with its destructive agenda to essentially end coal-powered electricity in the United States," Meuser said. "The EPA is using the cumulative impact of a suite of rules — a so-called 'Clean Power Plan 2.0.' The EPA's rules will accelerate coal plant retirements when our grid reliability and the affordability of the nation’s power supply demand just the opposite. The EPA's refusal to heed the warnings of the experts tasked with keeping the lights on and ensuring a reliable supply of power is alarming and will likely have negative consequences for millions of Americans."Others are praising the new rules, including the PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center — a group that aims to protect air, water and open spaces.Field Director Flora Cardoni said Pennsylvania has been a big part of the climate pollution problem for too long, and the rule can help make the commonwealth a part of the solution."With severe flooding and downpours plaguing huge swaths of Pennsylvania only weeks ago, it's clear that we need to rein in planet-warming carbon emissions from the power sector," she said, calling the new EPA standards "a step in the right direction."
WASHINGTON — A Pennsylvania congressman is criticizing the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection's new rules to cut pollution from coal-burning plants.
Rep. Dan Meuser, R-9, is the co-chair of the Congressional Coal Caucus and said the rules are "just the latest assault on American energy."
The EPA is requiring coal plants that plan to stay open beyond 2039 to cut or capture 90% of their carbon dioxide emissions by 2032. Future electric plants fueled by coal or gas would have to control up to 90% of their carbon pollution.
Meuser said the rule sets unrealistic standards and is effectively trying to force coal plants to close early, as well as preventing new plants from opening.
He added that it will worsen the grid reliability crisis.
"Despite the warnings of grid transmission operators, utilities, grid reliability experts, and regulators that the U.S. is facing a grid reliability crisis compounded by surging power demand, the EPA has ignored those warnings and pushed ahead with its destructive agenda to essentially end coal-powered electricity in the United States," Meuser said. "The EPA is using the cumulative impact of a suite of rules — a so-called 'Clean Power Plan 2.0.' The EPA's rules will accelerate coal plant retirements when our grid reliability and the affordability of the nation’s power supply demand just the opposite. The EPA's refusal to heed the warnings of the experts tasked with keeping the lights on and ensuring a reliable supply of power is alarming and will likely have negative consequences for millions of Americans."
Others are praising the new rules, including the PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center — a group that aims to protect air, water and open spaces.
Field Director Flora Cardoni said Pennsylvania has been a big part of the climate pollution problem for too long, and the rule can help make the commonwealth a part of the solution.
"With severe flooding and downpours plaguing huge swaths of Pennsylvania only weeks ago, it's clear that we need to rein in planet-warming carbon emissions from the power sector," she said, calling the new EPA standards "a step in the right direction."
