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New Fitch Report Indicates Several States Hit Hardest by Clean Power Plan

In a newly released analysis of the potential impacts of the Clean Power Plan, Fitch Ratings has indicated that electric cooperatives and public power utilities in a handful of states could face major challenges in complying with the new regulations.  The report analyzes the impact of the Clean Power Plan on the 47 states that have electric cooperatives using Fitch’s Carbon Cost...

South Carolina Coops Speak Out Against EPA Carbon Mandate

Several South Carolina electric coops have joined the ranks of opponents to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed carbon emission limits for existing power plants.  Coops are particularly concerned about the compliance costs associated with the new rule, which will ultimately be paid by rural coop customers.  Click here for more information.

EPA Carbon Rule Could Lead States to Cap-and-Trade Programs

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed regulations requiring a 30 percent reduction in carbon emissions from existing power plants by 2030 outlines several approved ways for states to reach the targeted reductions.  However, some experts believe that most states will likely focus on achieving compliance through cap-and-trade systems.  Because the electricity grid...

EPA Proposes New Rule to Cut Emissions from Existing Plants

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Monday that it has issued a proposed rule that would for the first time reduce greenhouse gas emissions from existing stationary sources, including coal-fired power plants.  The proposal calls for a cut in carbon dioxide emissions from existing plants to 30 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 and would be implemented through a...

Key Points in Carbon Rules to be Released Next Week

President Barack Obama and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are expected to release the new carbon regulations of power plants under the Clean Air Act.  See Law360 for key issues to watch for and an analysis of the potential legal challenges (subscription required).

Power Plant Emissions Regulations Are Around the Corner

Final regulations for capping greenhouse gas emissions from existing power plants are expected to be unveiled in June 2014.  The regulations provide that new coal-fired plants would limit emissions to within 1,100 pounds of carbon dioxide per megawatt-hour.  However, the plants would have the flexibility of choosing to average their emissions over several years if they agree to adhere...

‘Social Cost of Carbon’ Raises NRECA Concerns

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) recently reported to the Obama administration about the potential costs of federal regulations based partly on the social cost of carbon.  Speaking out strongly against this idea, the NRECA pointed out that “the federal government would best serve the energy-consuming public by excluding an arbitrary ‘social cost of carbon,’...

EPA Continues Work on Carbon Rule

The Environmental Protection Agency is continuing its efforts to issue a draft carbon rule by June 1, 2014.  The new rule, which will be issued under the Clean Air Act and based on a 2007 Supreme Court decision, will regulate carbon emissions from existing power facilities.  Click here for the full story.  See the Sutherland Coop Team’s October 29, 2013, post for more on the...

Tri-State Works to Fund and Promote Carbon X Prize

Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association (Tri-State) has been working to develop a $10 million X prize for technology that can economically capture carbon from power plants.  Similar to the Ansari X Prize which promoted the first manned space flight by the private sector, the Tri-State Carbon X Prize would give private sector teams the opportunity to compete by testing the...

Coops Urge EPA to Slow Down Carbon Rule for Existing Plants

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) first “listening session” for its pending Clean Air Act emissions standards had a strong showing from coops.  The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, along with individual coops from three states, proposed a fair solution that recognizes the billions of dollars already invested by coops to clean up existing plants and allows...

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