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https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20130&cosponId=14567
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House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: April 17, 2014 11:58 AM
From: Representative Pam Snyder
To: All House members
Subject: Resolution Urging the United States Environmental Protection Agency to Develop Guidelines for the Regulation of Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Existing Power Plants
 
In the near future, I will be introducing a resolution urging the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in developing guidelines for regulating carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants, to rely on state regulators to develop performance standards for carbon dioxide emissions that take into account the unique policies, energy needs, resource mix, and economic priorities of Pennsylvania and other states.

On June 25, 2013, President Obama directed the administrator of the EPA to issue standards, regulations, and guidelines to address carbon dioxide emissions from new, existing, modified, and reconstructed fossil-fueled power plants. However, the standards and regulations set forth for existing coal-fueled power plants could threaten the affordability and reliability of Pennsylvania’s electricity supplies in addition to risking substantial job losses through the premature closure of power plants that have previously invested in costly pollution control measures.

The federal Clean Air Act provides for states to develop a plan for establishing and implementing standards of performance for existing sources of emissions. Current EPA regulations provide that states may adopt “less stringent emissions standards or longer compliance schedules” based on factors such as unreasonable costs of control, physical impossibilities of installing necessary control equipment, or other factors that would make less stringent standards or longer compliance times significantly more reasonable.

I believe that Pennsylvania should be given the flexibility, as provided for under the federal Clean Air Act, to implement carbon dioxide standards within the Commonwealth’s jurisdiction so that Pennsylvania’s consumers may continue to benefit from affordable electricity generated from existing power plants, including those fueled by coal.

Please join me in co-sponsoring this important piece of legislation.



Introduced as HR815