Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Turn Coal Workers Into Wind and Solar Workers

Supreme Court upholds power plant pollution rule

…............In a 6-2 decision, the justices approved a 2011 regulation issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency which had been challenged by Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and officials in states which produce large amounts of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide..........

The EPA regulation calls for 27 states – including Ohio – to limit the emissions from coal-fired power plants. Those emissions scatter across the East coast making it difficult for states without many coal-fired plants to achieve clean air standards required by the nation’s clean air laws. [and the health of all citizens].............It was unclear what the immediate impact would be in Ohio and to the producers of coal-fired electricity in the region like DP&L, Duke Energy and Ohio Edison.


Ohio government hypocrisy – what opportunity?
Lisa Peterson Hackley, a DeWine spokeswoman, said the ruling gives the EPA “the power to dictate any state’s plan for controlling air emissions without giving a state a fair opportunity to put in place its own systems to combat cross-state pollution.”
She added the decision allows the EPA “to define the standard and also impose its system without first providing the states that opportunity, which we find disappointing.

In my opinion Ohio coal company interests have been calling the legislative and policy making shots as far as energy production is concerned.
To wit: The [coal] industry's larger financial investment over the past three years appears to have been in the GOP-dominated state Legislature, where associates of the state's two most powerful coal firms — Boich Cos. and Murray Energy — have directed nearly $170,000 since 2011, according to an Associated Press review of state campaign finance filings.
State lawmakers hold sway over the state's clean energy quotas and other environmental laws.
George Elmaraghy, a 39-veteran of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, said in an email widely distributed last week that his departure was being forced by Kasich and Ohio EPA Director Scott Nally after "considerable pressure" from the coal industry. Elmaraghy headed Ohio EPA's Division of Surface Water, which issues permits for mining and other activities.
Ohio Energy Standards Require Utilities Increase Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency. In 2008, Ohio passed an Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (AEPS) which includes both renewable energy and energy efficiency requirements. The standards mandate for the state’s utilities to source 12.5 percent their electricity from renewable sources by 2025, and to utilize energy efficiency projects to achieve 22 percent in energy savings by the end of 2025.
http://ecowatch.com/2014/04/08/alec-attack-ohio-renewable-energy/

Paul Hunter

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