Kentucky has submitted its official comments to the Environmental Protection Agency about its proposed Clean Power Plan. The proposal, which was announced in June, aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants 30 percent by 2030. These greenhouse gas emissions contribute to climate change, and because coal produces more greenhouse gases than other sources of power, coal-fired power plants are disproportionately affected.
In a statement released today by the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, officials said the state's comments focus on the economic effects of the rule on the commonwealth. "More specifically, for manufacturing-intensive states like Kentucky, an increase in electricity costs raises the price of goods produced, harms state GDP (estimated loss of almost $2 billion with a ten percent increase in the cost of electricity), and causes job losses. The final rule should include a “safety net” provision that would allow states that have increased exposure to natural gas price volatility to be able to dispatch their remaining coal-fueled fleet. Additionally, EPA's expectation that individual states will have the time necessary to evaluate fully the opportunities of such a complex plan and oversee its development is unreasonable. EPA at a minimum should allow a 3-year timeline for states to submit their plans after the rule is finalized." You can read the Energy and Environment Cabinet's full comment here. We'll have more details on this next week.
