CEI: EPA’s Proposed Affordable Clean Energy Rule “Huge Improvement” Over Clean Power Plan

The Environmental Protection Agency today released a proposed replacement for the Obama Administration’s “Clean Power Plan,” which was finalized in August of 2015. CEI opposed the Clean Power Plan, because it was economically destructive, unlawful, and would have raised energy prices for many Americans.

Director of CEI’s Center for Energy and Environment Myron Ebell said:

“The EPA’s proposed replacement rule is a huge improvement over the so-called Clean Power Plan, which is almost certainly illegal and would be incredibly costly to consumers if implemented.  The new rule provides minimal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from existing power plants and will therefore result in only small increases in electric rates. It will also do no more harm to the coal industry, which still supplies 30% of America’s electricity at the lowest costs.

“It remains to be seen whether the Supreme Court will find that the replacement rule satisfies the requirements of the 2009 endangerment finding. CEI’s petition to re-open and reconsider the finding is still before the EPA. We think that granting the petition remains the best option if the court decides that the new rule doesn’t do enough to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from coal and natural gas power plants. The ‘Clean Power’ Plan was a key part of the Obama administration’s war on affordable energy and based on the finding that greenhouse gas emissions endanger public health and welfare. However, the best and most recent science undermines that claim and therefore reconsideration is warranted.”

• Marlo Lewis: Repealing The Clean Power Plan Will Benefit All Americans
• Study: EPA’s Clean Power Plan Overreach

Myron Ebell

The Environmental Protection Agency today released a proposed replacement for the Obama Administration’s “Clean Power Plan,” which was finalized in August of 2015. CEI opposed the Clean Power Plan, because it was economically destructive, unlawful, and would have raised energy prices for many Americans.