02Dec

PUC Calls on EPA to Pull Back CO2 Rule

The Texas Public Utility Commission called a new EPA law capping carbon dioxide emissions by power plants “unworkable” and an “unlawful intrusion” in comments submitted to the federal government Monday. “The rule establishes completely unachievable timelines for this fundamental remaking of the power industry, creating great threats to the ability of Texas to manage and […]
01Dec

EPA Flooded with Climate Rule Comments

The Obama administration has received more than 1.6 million comments on its proposed rule to limit carbon emissions on power plants. The massive number of comments submitted before Monday’s deadline highlights the intense interest from both environmental groups hailing the rule as an historic effort to curb climate change, and business and energy groups who […]
01Dec

Wyoming PSC Chairman: EPA’s CO2 Rules Unrealistic

CASPER, WYO. — New rules to cut carbon dioxide emissions nationwide could force utilities to have to shut down four coal-fired power plants in Wyoming years before they would be obsolete otherwise, said the chairman of the Wyoming Public Service Commission. The proposed rules overestimate utilities’ ability to improve the efficiency of coal-fired power plants and […]
27Nov

Vitter Comments to EPA: Power Rule a Costly ‘Bully’

U.S. EPA’s Clean Power Plan tramples states’ authority over their own power sectors, would drive up costs and is based on unsound science, outgoing Senate Environment and Public Works Committee ranking member David Vitter (R-La.) argued in comments submitted to the agency today. Vitter provided EPA with copies of letters, reports and witness testimony to […]
26Nov

Supreme Court to Review EPA Rule on Power Plant Emissions

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday said it would review the nation’s first-ever standards requiring power plants to reduce mercury emissions and other toxic air pollutants, taking up a case with implications for President Barack Obama ’s broader environmental agenda. The high court accepted several challenges to the rules brought by the utility industry and […]
25Nov

Viewpoint: EPA Regulations Hit Florida’s Poor, Seniors Hardest

Energy policy used to be focused on providing affordable, reliable energy. But President Obama and the Environmental Protection Agency have swapped that focus for one on reducing carbon emissions. As many Americans still struggle to recover from the Great Recession, that focus couldn’t be more off the mark. The EPA’s new, proposed plan aimed at […]
24Nov

Report: EPA Regulations To Raise Power Costs 37 Percent By 2020

Environmental Protection Agency rules will only force electricity prices up even higher as the agency finalizes a slew of regulations aimed at the power sector, according to a new report. The report by Energy Ventures Analysis found that the EPA underestimates how much its power plant regulatory regime will raise electricity and natural gas prices by […]
22Nov

Nothing ‘Commonsense’ About EPA’s Proposed Rule

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this summer billed its proposal to cut carbon emissions from power plants as a “commonsense plan.” Unfortunately, what the EPA considers common sense actually defies that definition. Even worse, it will hurt families and the region’s economy. Simply stated, this is a vital policy struggle about keeping your lights on […]
20Nov

EPA Impoverishing Seniors

The American people registered their disapproval of President Obama’s policies in the midterm elections. This means EPA’s proposal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in new and existing power plants needs to be entirely re-evaluated with a commonsense approach. Congress and this administration need to take into account the adverse financial impact upon millions on fixed […]
18Nov

Grid Operator Says EPA Power Plant Rule ‘Clarification’ is Bad News for Coal States

One of the biggest electric grid operators in the country, PJM Interconnection, says its member states would have a harder time complying with U.S. EPA’s proposal to cut greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector under the agency’s clarified guidance for implementing state carbon budgets. EPA’s draft rule from June 2 said states could take […]