Ohio EPA chief says courts should review new emissions rule

The finalized rules released Monday require an additional 2 percent reduction in emissions, but also give states an additional two years to begin cutting emissions.

Utilities, federal energy regulators and electricity grid operators including the New York Independent System Operator Inc. called on the EPA to impose a safeguard to prevent service disruptions, warning that states may see waves of power plant retirements under the new carbon regulations.

“While we appreciate the efforts intended to help offset the financial burden of rising electricity prices and jobs lost due to prematurely shuttered power plants, the final rule still appears to reflect the fundamental flaws of the original proposal”, Emerson said.

“Any increase in the cost of electricity most dramatically impacts those who can least afford it, and the fallout from the EPA’s rule will cascade across the nation for years to come”, she said.

Environmental groups have said that will be tough for opponents to achieve.

Under the initial version of the rule released last summer, Indiana would have had to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide generated per unit of electricity 24 percent from 2012 levels by 2030.

Under the initial proposal, only eight states would have had to reduce emissions rates less than Indiana.

Zoeller said Indiana and other states will try to reopen that challenge, as well as ask the courts to block implementation of the EPA rule until all legal challenges have been settled. “We’re setting fair, consistent standards across the country and we’re giving states and utilities the time and flexibility they need to adopt strategies that work for them”, she said.

The cuts were announced Monday and are even more stringent than expected.

John Hamilton, who headed the Indiana Department of Environmental Management from 1997 through 1999, said it would be irresponsible for the state not to create its own compliance plan.

“If the final rule is not significantly improved, then Hoosiers can be assured that on behalf of families, businesses and other ratepayers, Indiana will not comply”, Pence said.