EPA New Carbon Rule is Deeply Troubling

Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a new draft rule to curb carbon emissions from fossil burning power plants. The new rule takes a different approach from the Obama era Clean Power Plan, which focused on shifting to renewable and efficient energy and instead sets limits based on assumptions that technologies like hydrogen blending and carbon capture and storage can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

It is deeply troubling to see a rule that continues to bet on our future using expensive technologies that have failed to show results, even as efficiency and renewable energy have proven to capture savings and reduce emissions for all. ​

​Obviously carbon emissions reductions are crucial, but this method doubles down on broken promises, and enables the longevity of fossil fuels, which are not only damaging when burned at the power plant, but harm communities all the way up the supply chain. Carbon capture and hydrogen just adds new risks.

There is a single operating power plant in the world that utilizes carbon capture technology, and results at this 115 MW Canadian coal unit, completed in 2014, have been dubious, with challenges throughout its 9 year history.  Furthermore, the technology does not promise to reduce other pollutants (like toxic nitrogen oxides and particulate matter) from the plant that harm neighboring residents. The EPA’s new rule envisions hundreds of these facilities operating within the next two decades even as communities in Louisiana and nationwide make it clear they don’t want carbon capture and injection projects. 

Even so, at least two carbon capture projects in Louisiana, which would add new costs to old power plants, are in early development, including an Entergy power plant  in Lake Charles and a Cleco plant north of Alexandria.  

Carbon capture and hydrogen technologies are not a panacea, and promise to lock in new costs to ratepayers, even with lucrative tax incentives from the federal government. The Alliance is committed to protecting Louisianans pocketbooks and health, while supporting time-tested, cost-effective resources. Our neighbors in other states are benefitting from renewable energy. Louisianans and all Americans deserve the same.

The new EPA rule sets a dangerous signal that emissions reductions will come at the extraordinary cost of environmental and economic injustice. We know there are better ways, and we’ll fight for them.

If you’d like to submit comments on these proposed rules, an online option is available via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2023-0072.

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