Pippy attacks Clean Power Plan

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken advantage of the current industry downturn to deliver a “devastating blow to the coal industry”, according to Pennsylvania Coal Alliance CEO, John Pippy.

Addressing legislators from the Pennsylvania House and Senate Coal Caucus, Pippy attacked the EPA’s Clean Power Plan (CPP) as a “cheap shot” that could prevent the industry from recovering: “While the price of natural gas is sure to fluctuate and the demand for electricity to rise as the economy strengthens, this regulation will be the cheap shot that cripples the industry from rebounding when demand returns.”

Pippy also questions the legality of the CPP, arguing that it circumvents state’s rights by mandating energy policy disguised as environmental regulation.

As proposed, Pennsylvania would have to reduce its carbon emissions by 32% from 2012 levels under the CPP. According to a projection from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), this would require cutting the state’s’ coal fleet by 68% - putting the 36 000 industry-related jobs and US$4 billion of economic benefits at risk.

Meanwhile, a study by the National Economic Research Associates found that compliance with the CPP would raise Pennsylvania’s electricity rates by 14 – 22%.

Written by Jonathan Rowland.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/coal/17062015/pippy-attacks-clean-power-plan-pennsylvania-coal-alliance-2431/