Thanks to Obama’s Clean Power Plan announced earlier this week, each state in the US has been charged with plotting a way to a cleaner energy future.
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After the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its final Clean Power Plan on Monday, creating restrictions to cut carbon dioxide emissions from all existing power plants nationwide within the next 15 years, U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) spoke out against the policy. We can’t solve the global problem of climate change, they’ll fairly shout, by imposing a national set of rules on each and every state. This is by far the most ambitious step taken by America to tackle climate change.
Emission standards plan: the state places requirements directly on all its electricity generating units to ensure performance of each contributes to meeting emissions targets.
As many observers have pointed out, this is further evidence that the president’s flagship climate initiative won’t do much to cut carbon emissions beyond what’s already happening.
State wide power agencies and government officials are expressing concern over the plan.
Power plants are the largest source of carbon dioxide emissions.
CEO of the Association’s Mid-Atlantic chapter Deborah Brown says the goal of reducing carbon emissions by 32 percent from 2005 levels by 2030 should help everyone to breathe a little easier.
Masuca said it is unclear just how the new regulations will affect ratepayers, and said potential lawsuits could come as a result of the regulations that could either stall or force changes in the rules.
The plan, which also mandates a shift to renewable energy from coal-fired electricity, is meant to put the United States in a strong position at worldwide talks in Paris later this year on reaching a deal to curb global warming.
Under the plan, states have options as to what energy mix they use.
TEP is more moving more toward renewable energy and natural gas.
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Some analysts said the proposed plan would have hit Arizona harder than any other state. “South Dakotans made their voice heard loud and clear during the public comment period, and we appreciate their efforts to tell the EPA their concerns”, said Anderson.
