Congressman Meuser Statement on EPA’s Detrimental New Coal Plant Rule

The EPA's finalized rule would require coal plants that plan to stay open beyond 2039 to cut or capture 90% of their carbon dioxide emissions by 2032. The rule would also require new electric plants fueled by coal or gas to capture 90% of carbon emissions. The rule sets unrealistic standards and is effectively attempting to force coal plants to retire early and prevent new plants from opening.

This is just the latest assault on American energy from the Biden Administration, and this rule will exacerbate the grid reliability crisis facing our nation.

Co-Chair Meuser said, "Despite the warnings of grid transmission operators, utilities, grid reliability experts, and regulators that the U.S. is facing a grid reliability crisis compounded by surging power demand, the EPA has ignored those warnings and pushed ahead with its destructive agenda to essentially end coal-powered electricity in the United States. The EPA is using the cumulative impact of a suite of rules - a so-called 'Clean Power Plan 2.0.' The EPA's rules will accelerate coal plant retirements when our grid reliability and the affordability of the nation's power supply demand just the opposite. The EPA's refusal to heed the warnings of the experts tasked with keeping the lights on and ensuring a reliable supply of power is alarming and will likely have negative consequences for millions of Americans."

The EPA's finalized rule can be found here.

The Congressional Coal Caucus is the voice of American coal communities in Congress. It represents both eastern and western mining states, and all types of coal produced throughout the country.

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