Pennsylvania Coal Alliance criticises proposed EPA standards

The CEO of the Pennsylvania Coal Alliance, John Pippy, has criticised the US Environmental Protections Agency’s (EPA) recently proposed power plant emissions standards in testimony before the state Senate Environmental and Energy Committee. The proposed standards would force Pennsylvania to cut its carbon emissions by 42% from 2005 levels.

A disproportionately negative impact on coal-producing states

“Although touted by proponents and a flexible and achievable way to curb carbon emissions, [the standards] are merely a de facto attempt to transform American’s energy usage away from coal,” Pippy said. As such, they would have a disproportional, negative impact on jobs and the economy in coal-producing states such as Pennsylvania, he continued.

According to the Pennsylvania Economy League of Greater Pittsburgh, the state’s coal industry supports 36,000 jobs in the state and contributes US$ 4 billion dollars per year to the state economy.

State legislators should work to mitigate impact.

"Pennsylvania and its residents would pay a steep price for an ill-conceived public policy that would do nothing to address the issue it purports to address," Pippy said. "We urge state lawmakers to do all they can to mitigate the harm this will cause to the state's economy."

Pippy went on to recommend that Pennsylvania’s General Assembly enact a measure that would require legislative approval before submitting a state compliance plan to the EPA. He also urged the committee to submit comments at an EPA hearing in Pittsburgh 31 July.

Written by by Jonathan Rowland

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/power/30062014/pennsylvania_coal_alliance_criticises_proposed_epa_standards_coal1032/