Carbon Pollution Rule Draws Praise, Criticism

by | Jun 3, 2014

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coal power plantUnilever, VF Corporation, Mars and 125 other companies have sent letters supporting the EPA’s proposed carbon pollution rule for existing power plants to the Obama Administration and to Senate and House majority and minority leaders.

Sustainability advocacy nonprofit Ceres coordinated the letters, which were also signed by 49 investors managing $800 billion in assets.

The EPA’s proposal, released yesterday, would cut carbon emissions from existing power plants by 30 percent by 2030 below 2005 levels.

Coal fired power plants are the largest source of carbon pollution in the US, accounting for about a third of all greenhouse gas emissions in the nation.

While renewable energy companies and environmental groups have applauded the Clean Power Plan, groups such as the National Association of Manufacturers and the National Mining Association (NMA) say the carbon standard will drive companies out of business.

NMA president and CEO Hal Quinn said the regulations would be a loss for “manufacturers and businesses nationwide…especially those in states that relay on low cost electricity from coal.”

Meanwhile, Reps. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.) and David McKinley (R-W.Va.) say they will introduce a bill to block the carbon pollution standard, The Hill reports. The West Virginia congressmen say the new rules, if finalized, will hurt the state, which is highly dependent on coal for electricity and jobs.

Photo Credit: coal power plant via Shutterstock

 

 

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