Thanks to EPA, prepare for higher electric bills soon
12/27/2011 7:13:00 PM
Last week, just before Christmas, the Environmental Protection Agency issued its new rules for Utility MACT standards governing the release of mercury and other emissions by coal-fired power plants. Coal produces nearly 50 percent of the nation's electricity, and coal's cheap and affordable costs have helped keep electricity affordable for most Americans. That's about to change.
The new EPA mandates require drastic reductions in emissions - reductions which seem almost intentionally designed to drive coal-fired plants out of business in favor of plants more favored by the Obama administration.
As Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) said, "The EPA's decision just days before Christmas is unwelcome news to the thousands of Ohioans who could lose their jobs or see a big increase in their electricity rates, due to the new rules. I am concerned that EPA continues to press forward with some of the most costly Clean Air Act rules ever imposed on our nation's economy while failing to demonstrate that the agency truly understands the impact that its regulation could have on grid reliability and economic growth."
By EPA's own estimates, Utility MACT will entail an annual cost of $9.6 billion on the power sector. Many electric plants, including in Ohio, have already announced they will close if the EPA mandates are made effective, since they will not be able to afford to continue operating.
As Portman noted, concerns about this rule and its potential to cause significant constraints in electricity reliability have been raised repeatedly this year in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, of which Portman is a member. The concerns have been raised by both Republicans and Democrats on the Committee.
"The uncertainty caused by these regulations could result in the loss of thousands of Ohio jobs and will increase electricity rates for families during tough economic times, in return for less reliable power," said Portman. "To get the economy moving again, Washington needs to rein in government overreach and regulations that are creating uncertainty and stifling innovation."
We agree. Once more, the EPA seems to be catering to extremist political interests while sacrificing common sense economic realities. Average American households will pay the price.
