US ON EMISSIONS
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THE US FINALLY ACTS ON GLOBAL CHANGE
Environmentalists
hail EPA’s proposal to limit the
emissions of the energy plants. On the other hand, the fossil fuel industry
fiercely oppose the proposal claiming that energy cost for consumers will
rise and jobs in the industry will be lost, denying at the same time the
scientific proofs of global warming. Although the industry’s interests are
understandable, the lives of future generations more than justify the US
government initiative.
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Image: sustainablebusiness.com
EPA ANNOUNCES 30 BY ’30 REGS FOR POWER PLANTS, GET
READY FOR THE ONSLAUGHT! (from
an article in SustainableBusiness.com News, June 2, 2014)
EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy made the highly anticipated, historic
announcement on how power plants will be regulated to address carbon
emissions.
Simply called the "Clean Power Plan," EPA's proposal is the biggest action on climate change ever taken by a US president, says the New York Times, and is the centerpiece of President Obama's Climate Action Plan. Power plants are responsible for 40% of US carbon emissions, our single largest source. News leaked beforehand that EPA would shoot for a 25% decline in carbon emissions, but we are pleasantly surprised that the goal is 30% by 2030 - thus many are calling it the 30 By '30 plan.
Simply called the "Clean Power Plan," EPA's proposal is the biggest action on climate change ever taken by a US president, says the New York Times, and is the centerpiece of President Obama's Climate Action Plan. Power plants are responsible for 40% of US carbon emissions, our single largest source. News leaked beforehand that EPA would shoot for a 25% decline in carbon emissions, but we are pleasantly surprised that the goal is 30% by 2030 - thus many are calling it the 30 By '30 plan.
The Plan: cut carbon emissions 25% by 2025 and 30% by 2030, from 2005
levels. As a beneficial byproduct, soot, sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxide will
be simultaneously cut by 25%. In the first year alone, EPA
expects 150,000 fewer asthma attacks and 2,100 fewer heart attacks in
the US.
How? EPA will set a cap on carbon emissions customized for every state based on how much carbon power plants emitted in 2005. States will have complete flexibility on how they meet the cap: they can use any combination of power plant regulations with required upgrades (long overdue in many cases); energy efficiency; renewable energy; even implement a carbon tax or cap-and-trade program. The EPA could add other regulations such as capturing methane emissions from fracking operations.
The next step is for the EPA to hold hearings (planned for July across the country) and accept comments. The comment period has been doubled from the usual 60 days to 120 days. Regulations will be finalized in mid-2015 and states will have until 2016 to submit their plans to EPA.
How? EPA will set a cap on carbon emissions customized for every state based on how much carbon power plants emitted in 2005. States will have complete flexibility on how they meet the cap: they can use any combination of power plant regulations with required upgrades (long overdue in many cases); energy efficiency; renewable energy; even implement a carbon tax or cap-and-trade program. The EPA could add other regulations such as capturing methane emissions from fracking operations.
The next step is for the EPA to hold hearings (planned for July across the country) and accept comments. The comment period has been doubled from the usual 60 days to 120 days. Regulations will be finalized in mid-2015 and states will have until 2016 to submit their plans to EPA.
"If you're working in the solar or wind
industry, you should feel very happy right now. Those are the industries
growing faster than the rest of economy," Mike Brune, Executive Director
of Sierra Club,told the NY
Times. "It's clear that those are going to be the industries to work in,
invest in and watch. They're about to explode in terms of growth."
Meanwhile, Republicans, the Chamber of
Commerce, ALEC, Americans for Prosperity, Heartland, etcetera gave their
typical responses. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) says
he will immediately introduce legislation to block the rules, warning it will
make electricity unaffordable and kill jobs.
Yes, the EPA says, some coal plants will close
but that's because of aging equipment and the fact that the average
coal plant is 42 years old. About a third of US
coal plants closed in the past few years - the 560 that are
left produce 75% of power plant emissions. Coal
currently provides 39% of US electricity. Even with these regulations, it will
supply 30% in 2030.
A recent poll by Pew Research shows
that 46% of Republicans and 70% of the Tea Party say there's
no evidence the earth is warming. Americans
generally don't prioritize action on climate change - out of 20
priorities, it comes in at #18. Still, a majority from both
parties support EPA power plant regulations and want action on climate change - 74% of
Democrats; 67% of Independents; 52% of Republicans.
Comment by the blog’s Editor: It is imposible to deny
our right to defend anybody’s own interests but when those interests overshadow
the general interests they must be curbed. The fossil fuel industry (coal, oil,
gas) has indeed its own quite understandable economic interests. But when those
interests threaten the Earth and humanity’s health and wellbeing, they must be
curbed. There are two ways to do this: self containment or government pressure.
The former is much more desirable, but if individuals are not capable of a
reasonable containment, the general interest must prevail and the organized
society must act accordingly.
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