EPA Says Clean Power Plan Will Be Final By Mid-Summer

NEWS RELEASE

Contact:
Sharyn Stein, 202-572-3396, sstein@edf.org 

(Washington, D.C. – January 7, 2015) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that it will finalize carbon pollution standards for new and existing power plants mid-summer of 2015. 

“It is critical that EPA act as soon as possible to address dangerous carbon pollution from fossil fuel-fired power plants, which are the largest source of climate pollution in our country,” said EDF attorney Tomas Carbonell. “EPA has, from day one, reached out to a diverse array of stakeholders for feedback on the carbon pollution standards, and we appreciate that they are giving full consideration to all the comments that were submitted.”

EPA’s standards will also act to cut other harmful air pollution from these plants. The proposed standards for existing power plants are expected to achieve reductions in sulfur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, and particulate matter that will generate health benefits of up to $93 billion per year in 2030 by reducing asthma attacks, other respiratory ailments and premature deaths.

The proposed standards are supported by millions of Americans, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Heart Association.

EPA also announced today that they will initiate an effort to support states as they develop their plans and begin to work with all stakeholders to develop a default federal plan for existing power plants.

“It is important that EPA is beginning this effort to support states as they design their plans to deploy tailored, common-sense solutions to reduce carbon pollution,” said Carbonell.

Under the proposed Clean Power Plan, states will lead by designing plans to reduce carbon pollution and deploy clean energy and energy efficiency solutions, reflecting their own policies and priorities. Many states are already leading the way in addressing carbon pollution, and have been deeply engaged in providing ideas and comments to EPA on the Clean Power Plan. 

This cooperative federalism model is the foundation of the nation’s clean air laws, reflected in the many programs where EPA and states have worked together to implement protections through a combination of federal and states plans. For example, the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule that the Supreme Court upheld in April is being implemented as a flexible, cost-effective federal plan.

Support for the Clean Power Plan

EPA’s proposed Clean Power Plan has already won broad support from the faith community, moms, health and medical associations, businesses, power companies, Latino groups, states, and others – as well as from EDF and other environmental groups. More than three and a half million Americans sent comments in support of strong carbon standards to EPA, including:

• “Our organizations support EPA’s overall approach with the Clean Power Plan, but urge EPA to strengthen the final plan to provide greater protection to public health.” — Comment letter from medical and public health associations including American Academy of Pediatrics, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, American Public Health Association, American Thoracic Society, Center for Climate Change and Health, Health Care Climate Council, Health Care Without Harm, Public Health Institute, and Trust for America’s Health

• “We applaud EPA for proposing a rule that will place the United States on a path to achieving meaningful reductions in carbon pollution, although we recognize that greater overall reductions will be necessary to meet the challenge of climate change.” – Joint comments of state environmental agency leaders, energy agency leaders, and public utilities commissioners from 14 states

• “We support the proposed rule’s overall objective of achieving meaningful emission reductions from existing power plants and encouraging investment in a clean energy future” – The Clean Energy Group, a coalition of power companies

• “We know that tackling climate change is one of America’s greatest economic opportunities of the 21st century and we applaud the EPA for taking steps to help the country seize that opportunity.” – Letter signed by 223 companies (including Unilever, Kellogg Company, Solar City, and SunPower) and BICEP, CERES, CDP, and The Climate Group 

• “Our communities, our families and our children are counting on [EPA’s] leadership.” – Moms Clean Air Force

Read more about the Clean Power plan on our website.