At a time when state and national reports are showing the need for more power generation, the U.S. EPA’s release of new rules regarding coal-fired power plants, as well as gas-fired plants, is not only ill-timed but ill-conceived.
The new rules are “to protect all communities from pollution and improve public health without disrupting the delivery of reliable electricity,” according to an EPA press release.
Again, as we’ve noted in the past, a worthy goal. But as the demand for electricity continues to amp up, other forms of power generation just can’t keep up.
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., wasted no time in letting his thoughts be known, sending out his response to the media at 5 a.m. on the day the regulations were released. He correctly called the regulations “death by a thousand cuts to America’s fossil fuel industry.”
“It is obvious that the ultimate goal of these EPA regulations is to stop the use of fossil fuels to produce reliable energy in the United States by forcing the premature closure of coal plants and blocking new natural gas plants,” Manchin said. He contended the release was clearly political.
“The Administration is more frightened by political threats from climate activists than by the warnings from our nation’s electricity reliability regulators and grid operators that these rules will further strain our already at-risk power grid.”
Gov. Jim Justice also sharply criticized the rules and the Biden Administration.
“I am incredibly frustrated by the latest EPA rules demanding our power plants eliminate emissions or shut down operations. Once again, this is a clear sign of federal overreach, and it completely disregards the important role West Virginia plays in the nation’s energy landscape,” Justice said.
“The EPA and White House’s tone is clear: West Virginia doesn’t matter. We are being told to close our facilities and send workers home without considering the economic impact. All West Virginians need to support our miners right now,” Justice said.
Justice noted that while the United States is looking to shutter fossil fuel-generated plants, other countries continue to rely on these resources, putting America not only at economic risk but in terms of national security.
“For every plant that closes in the United States, nations like China and India are rapidly expanding their coal-power capacity and building two in its place. This destructive strategy undermines our national security and energy independence,” Justice said.
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito also joined the chorus of complaints, calling the plan illegal and saying it would continue to drive up the cost of electricity.
“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,” Capito said.
“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,” Capito said.
“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,” Capito said.
As we’ve said throughout the debate, there will be a time when renewable energy is more of an answer to the nation’s energy solutions. And we do strongly believe that more must be done to protect the environment.
But those steps must be measured, and they will take time. The new regulations aren’t the right answer now.