The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today rolled out final rules requiring coal-fired power plants in the United States to reduce 90% of their greenhouse pollution into the next decade, prompting a backlash by political figures in coal-focused West Virginia.
The rules would also require all new baseload gas-fired plants control 90% of their carbon pollution.
“Pure lunacy,” U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, chairman of the Senate Energy Committee, said on MetroNews’ “Talkline.”
Manchin, D-W.Va., expressed concern that the emphasis on reducing the effects of climate change would outweigh the the nation’s need for energy capacity.
“I just can’t even explain it. I’ve tried over the years to explain to ’em — you have to have a balance. The bottom line is, you have to have reliability.”
Manchin predicted court challenges to the EPA’s new rule affecting power plants and projected the Senate Energy Committee that he leads would file a brief in support of the challenge. “And I’ll guarantee you, we will win in court.”
Senator Shelley Moore Capito, ranking member of the Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee, said she would introduce a Congressional Review Act resolution of disapproval to overturn the emissions rules targeting existing coal plants and new gas plants.
“With the latest iteration of the illegal Clean Power Plan 2.0 announced today, President Biden has inexplicably doubled down on his plans to shut down the backbone of America’s electric grid through unachievable regulatory mandates,” said Capito, R-W.Va.
“Electricity demand is set to skyrocket thanks in part to the EPA’s own electric vehicles mandate, and unfortunately, Americans are already paying higher utility bills under President Biden. Despite all this, the administration has chosen to press ahead with its unrealistic climate agenda that threatens access to affordable, reliable energy for households and employers across the country.”
Under the EPA rule announced today, coal plants that plan to stay open beyond 2039 would have to cut or capture 90% of their carbon dioxide emissions by 2032. Plants that expect to retire by 2039 would face a less stringent standard but still would have to capture some emissions. Coal plants that are set to retire by 2032 would not be subject to the new rules.
Chris Hamilton, president of the West Virginia Coal Association, responded by saying “Make no mistake, the rules announced by EPA today are specifically designed to shut down West Virginia’s nine coal-fired power plants and many more across this nation.”
He continued by saying, “What EPA is doing is economic suicide. West Virginians will lose jobs. Americans will continue to pay increasingly more expensive power bills. Our state and national electric systems will become even more unreliable as the grid weakens and base load power supplies are severely reduced.”
EPA’s rules come under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. EPA described the announcement as providing regulatory certainty as the power sector makes long-term investments in the transition to a clean energy economy.
“By developing these standards in a clear, transparent, inclusive manner, EPA is cutting pollution while ensuring that power companies can make smart investments and continue to deliver reliable electricity for all Americans,” said EPA Administrator Michael Regan.
West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, a Republican who is running for governor, vowed a court challenge.
“This tactic by the EPA is unacceptable, and this rule flies in the face of the rule of law,” Morrisey said today. “We are confident this new rule is not going to be upheld, and it just seems designed to scare more coal-fired power plants into retirement—the goal of the Biden administration.
“Making matters worse, the administration packaged this rule with several other rules aimed at destroying traditional energy providers. We’re reviewing those rules as well, and we’ll be working with state and industry partners to implement the best strategy for fighting back against Biden’s anti-energy agenda.”
Congresswoman Carol Miller, R-W.Va., also blasted today’s EPA announcement.
“The EPA’s Clean Power Plan 2.0 rules remind Americans that the Biden Administration is focused on demolishing the United States coal industry in the name of ‘green’ energy. These new mandates will cripple our electric grid, current coal-fired power plants, new natural gas-fired power plants, and overall U.S. energy production,” Miller said.
Congressman Alex Mooney, R-W.Va., criticized the Biden administration too.
“The Biden Administration has been dictating outrageous rules from Washington with utter disregard for the impact on hardworking coal communities. Biden’s out-of-control EPA is laser-focused on closing every coal plant in West Virginia and ushering in higher energy prices via the Green New Deal,” Mooney said.