Industry Attacks Clean Power Plan in Court

coal power plant

by | Oct 26, 2015

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coal power plantMore than 20 businesses and industry organizations have filed lawsuits to overturn the Clean Power Plan.

Immediately after the EPA published the carbon rule for existing power plants last Friday, 24 states sues to stop the law, which requires existing coal-burning power plants must cut carbon emissions by 32 percent by 2030, compared to 2005 levels.

The US Chamber of Commerce, which is suing to stop the carbon rules, said the Clean Power Plan is bad for business and represents a “massive executive power grab.”

The Chamber has been joined in the lawsuit by the National Association of Manufacturers, American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers, National Federation of Independent Business, American Chemistry Council, American Coke and Coal Chemicals Institute, American Foundry Society, American Forest and Paper Association, American Iron and Steel Institute, American Wood Council, Brick Industry Association, Electricity Consumers Resource Council, Lignite Energy Council, National Lime Association, National Oilseed Processors Association and Portland Cement Association.

Calling the carbon regulation “unlawful,” the Manufacturers’ Center for Legal Action (NAM’s legal arm) said: “Manufacturers need abundant and reliable supplies of energy and reasonable and predictable policies that allow for continued investment and growth. This plan restricts resources and reduces reliability, while setting a dangerous precedent for future regulation of other sectors. Manufacturers can’t sit by while this Administration makes it increasingly difficult to make things and create jobs in the United States, especially at a time when the regulatory weight borne by manufacturers is heavier than ever.”

The American Wood Council said it was joining the Clean Power Plan litigation to ensure production of biomass energy. The American Forest & Paper Association said it is concerned the final rule will threatened affordable electricity and said it’s joining the lawsuit to “protect the global competitiveness of our industry.”

The states and industry organizations are also asking the court to block the Clean Power Plan while the legal challenges make their way through the courts.

Additionally, Murray Energy Corp., coal industry groups and a coalition of 37 electric cooperatives have also filed lawsuits to block the carbon rules, Environment & Energy Publishing reports.

Photo Credit: coal power plant via Shutterstock

 

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