Obama sets ambitious goal to cut pollution

The final rules released Monday would cut emissions 32 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 – slightly tougher than the 30 percent originally proposed, yet well within range of current trends.

Calling it a moral obligation, President Barack Obama unveiled the final version of his plan to dramatically cut emissions from U.S. power plants, as he warned anew that climate change will threaten future generations if left unchecked. “We’ve invested heavily in renewable energies to provide our members with quality power up there”, Southeastern Electric Cooperative GM Brad Schardin said. “And when we say protected what we’re looking for is environmentally responsible economic growth that meets Arizona’s unique needs”.

‘This rule is imposing a uniform standard across all states that closes the gap between those leadership states and the others that have yet to take steps to mitigate their carbon emissions, ‘ Burtraw tells Chemistry World.

The Obama regs portend a shutdown of hundreds of coal-fired plants, which now generate almost 40 percent of the nation’s electricity, as well as a freeze in construction of new power plants.

The rules will burden consumers and our still-struggling economy, because new wind and solar units are more costly than existing coal and gas generation.

Campbell County Commissioner, Micky Shober says Campbell County will definitely be feeling the effects of the new plan. In West Virginia and Kentucky, two big coal producers, it makes up more than 50% of the total, for example, while in Vermont and Idaho its role is negligible.

“This is an extraordinarily complex rule that has taken the EPA several years to develop”, said Steven Gottfried, a spokesperson at Arizona Public Service, the state’s largest power company.

Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead said the regulations exceed the government’s authority, while North Dakota Rep. Kevin Cramer said he was looking for a judicial block that would allow Congress to repeal the rule. With coal all but dead, natural gas is key to keeping energy affordable, particularly in states like Michigan, which gets half its power from coal burning plants.

“Nevada has been ahead of this curve for a long time”, said Jennifer Taylor, executive director of the nonpartisan Clean Energy Project.

Shelley Moore Capito (R) isn’t thrilled about the new plan, and feels as though the president and the EPA are overstepping their boundaries by asserting their dominance over states’ and individuals’ rights.

US states are expected to submit final energy plans by 6 September 2016.