Dirty Coal Takes a Hit

By BJ

Looks like everyone will be able to breathe a little easier in the future.

In a landmark action, the Environmental Protection Agency’s final decision-making board has ruled that all new and proposed coal-fired power plants must have their carbon dioxide emissions regulated. The Environmental Appeals Board ruled today that the EPA has no valid reason for refusing to place limits on the global warming emissions from Desert Power’s proposed 110-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Vernal, Utah.

. . .

The 69-page decision described the Bush administration’s arguments as “weak,” “questionable,” “not sustainable,” and “not sufficient,” and rebuked EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson for failing to issue CO2 regulations, repeatedly recommending an “action of nationwide scope.”

As Matt Stoller puts it:

One of the claims of the coal industry - that there's some capacity to use coal without emitting carbon dioxide using fancy new technology - is about to be tested in a big way.  One sign to look for is squealing; if the industry gets very upset, it means they weren't really telling the truth about the ability to use clean coal technology in the first place.  If they don't squeal, then it looks like we're going to get a whole bunch of coal plants that don't emit carbon.

I’m sure we’ll hear squealing regardless, because whether or not the technology is workable, you can bet it is more costly than just allowing the coal plants to pollute away freely.  So not only will we hear squealing, we’ll be hearing how the Obama administration, (which isn’t yet in power), and the Democratic Congress, (who had nothing to do with this decision), are causing people hardship by raising energy prices because they won't allow the power companies to pollute without paying for it.

Still rather good news for the moment.