With proponents across the United States lining up to save the Clean Power Plan (CPP), it remains to be seen if the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s recent proposal to repeal the rule will come to fruition.
Less than five months ago, in October 2017, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt announced the agency’s intention to repeal the CPP, which carries a mandate of limiting carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from existing power plants to 1.7 billion tons per year by 2030.
On Feb. 20, 2018, a letter signed and endorsed by 236 mayors from 47 states urged Pruitt not to repeal the plan, citing that its demise “…would put our citizens at risk and undermine our efforts to prepare for and protect against the worst impacts of climate change.” Several environmental organizations and community groups have echoed the letter’s sentiment.
This has slowed the repeal process somewhat, with the EPA announcing an extension to the public comment period by three months to April 26, 2018, and its intention to hold three public listening sessions in the next few months.
The CPP was born when the EPA issued final rules to regulate greenhouse gases from new power plants (under Section 111(b) of the Clean Air Act) and from existing power plants (under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act) in October 2015. Soon after, 27 states, 24 trade associations, 37 rural electric co‐ops, and three labor unions challenged the CPP, highlighting a range of legal and technical concerns. It has remained in limbo ever since.
So what happens next under each scenario?
If the CPP is repealed: States would not be required to adhere to the CPP’s mandate to reduce CO2 emissions by significant amounts. There is also speculation that there could be a revival of sorts for coal if natural gas prices happen to increase in conjunction with the EPA’s repeal action.
With that said, the repeal of CPP would have no effect on the EPA’s requirement for states to meet national air quality standards (under the Clean Air Act) for carbon monoxide, ozone, particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and lead.
If the CPP is NOT repealed: States with more coal-burning power plants would be required to take action to reduce CO2 emissions to meet the plan’s goal of reaching 1.7 billion tons per year by 2030. It is estimated that 21 states would have had to do more to comply with the plan, which provides several options to cut carbon emissions including shifting away from coal-fired power and investment in renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, natural gas, and nuclear power. However, these actions would only come into play if the rule makes it out of legal limbo.
The team at EDGE has the expertise and experience needed to help you navigate the uncertainty of the CPP’s future and what happens next once a decision is reached. We are here to answer your questions, and to make recommendations about implementing best practices so that your projects move forward efficiently and achieve positive economic and environmental results.
Call EDGE, and we will start the discussion. Bringing further insight.