EPA: Implementing MACT while CSAPR is blocked
For those who may have missed it, the EPA released the final version of its Utility MACT rule on December 21st. The rule was ostensibly designed to address the release of mercury emissions from large coal-fueled utility generation sources. Responses to the EPA’s actions have been widespread and generally negative. Obviously, the more extreme green movement has lauded the rule, claiming that it will ensure cleaner air. However, a closer look at the science and statistics underlying the rule indicate that it will be a massively expensive, largely ineffective, job killer.
At the same time as the EPA is pressing forward on the Utility MACT a federal appeals court issued a stay, blocking the January 1, 2012 implementation date for another important EPA rule. Pending further court review, the U.S. District Court of Appeals has blocked the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), which rushed to set strict new limits on the the release of nitrogen oxides (NOX) and sulfur dioxide (SOX).
Honestly it has been difficult to keep pace with the growing level of information that demonstrates the far reaching destructive impacts of the EPA’s rushed regulations. Numerous sources question the so-called science underlying these rule and argue that forcing utilities to implement these changes in a few short years will cost billions of dollars, restrict energy choices, bring on energy supplies issues and rotating blackouts, and put millions of Americans out of work.
To help Coalblog readers keep pace with this issue, I have listed just a few of the articles that discuss the impending regulations,
- U.S. Chamber Disappointed With EPA Issuing Another Job-Killing Rule: Utility MACT Rule Threatens Electricity Reliability, Global Competitiveness, and Job Creation, Donohue Says – US Chamber of Commerce (12-22-11)
- Shutting down power plants: Imaginary benefits, extensive harm – Watts Up With That? (12-26-11)
- Lisa Jackson’s Power Play: Harming the economy, degrading the U.S. grid: another day at the EPA – Wall Street Journal (12-22-11)
- EPA’s Utility MACT Is Bad for American Workers and the Economy – National Mining Association (12-21-11)
- Court blocks EPA rule in last-minute order – Reuters (12-30-11)
- EPA Rule May Cause Blackouts – Intelligencer Wheeling News-Register (12-27-11)
- Sunbury to shut five coal-fired generators in Pennsylvania by 2015 – Platts (12-29-11)
- While Increased Regulations Shut Down Coal Plants, Energy Costs Skyrocket – Michigan Capitol Confidential (12-30-11)
- Consumers Energy Announces Cancellation of Proposed New Coal Plant, Continued Substantial Investments in Major Coal Units, Anticipated Suspension of Operation of Smaller Units in 2015 – Consumers Energy (12-02-11)
- Consumers Energy can implement electric-rate increase of up to $118 million instead of $147 million, Michigan Public Service Commission reported today – MLive.com (12-06-11)
- Household electricity bills skyrocket – USA Today (12-13-11)
- Sierra Club’s War on Coal Blamed for 53k Lost Jobs in Michigan – Michigan Capitol Confidential (09-08-11)
- Sierra Club’s Anti-Coal Campaign is a Major Jobs Destroyer – National Mining Association (08-07-11)
- New pollution rules will have major impact on Missouri, Illinois power plants -St. Louis Beacon (12-22-11)
- MACT Reactions: Renewed Concerns About Costs, Reliability – POWER Magazine (12-28-11)
- Death and Toxins: How Krugman Botched His Mercury Commentary – Institute for Energy Research (12-28-11)
- New EPA pollution controls may cost Big Rivers $100M – TheGleaner.com Henderson, KY (12-26-11)
- The Coal Age Nears Its End – Wall Street Journal (12-23-11)
- Wayne’s Story: New EPA Regulations Jeopardize Kansas Jobs – Sunflower Energy (09-28-11)
- EPA rules target mercury pollution, toxics from power plants – USA Today (12-21-11)
If Coalblog readers see more articles on this issue out there, please send them our way, or link to them in the comments below. I will get to them as quickly as possible.