EPA’s Strategic Approach to Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking a measured and strategic approach to regulating greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, according to EPA Administrator Michael Regan. Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling last June that limited the EPA’s ability to determine the nation’s energy sources, Regan emphasizes that the agency is following the science and the law in issuing four separate standards.
I feel very strongly that we are following the science and following the law.
The EPA has designed these standards to give the industry sufficient time to plan and invest in compliance measures that are cost-effective. Regan assures that the agency’s analysis shows that these regulations will not disrupt reliability or inflate prices.
Addressing Environmental Justice Concerns
Regan acknowledges the concerns/” title=”Worldcoin Faces Temporary Ban in Spain Amid Privacy Concerns”>concerns raised by environmental justice advocates like Maria, a resident of Newark, New Jersey, who lives near three power plants. These communities are worried about the potential for carbon capture technology to prolong the use of fossil fuels and fail to address other forms of pollution.
The EPA is listening to these concerns and is committed to a transparent process that takes into account the input from the environmental and environmental justice communities. Regan emphasizes that the agency hears these voices “loud and clear.”
Next Steps in Regulating Existing Gas Plants
The EPA has opened a nonregulatory docket to gather input on a new emissions rule for existing gas plants. This is just the first step in a multi-step rulemaking process that will follow the appropriate procedures to ensure the final rule can withstand court challenges while adhering to science and the law.
Prioritizing Environmental Justice
Regan highlights President Biden’s commitment to making environmental justice a top priority, as evidenced by his repeated mentions of the issue during State of the Union addresses.
For far too long, low-income communities of color and tribal communities have been disproportionately impacted by pollution from the power sector
The EPA pledges to apply its regulations equally under the law to protect everyone, especially those who are most vulnerable or disproportionately impacted. Regan’s Journey to Justice tour throughout the country has further underscored the urgent need for action to address the long-standing environmental injustices faced by these communities.
4 Comments
Finally, someone’s stepping up to the plate to swipe the dirt off America’s energy game!
Michael Regan’s diving into the deep end to scrub away what’s been fouling up the air, eh? Quite the task!
Regan’s stepping into the ring to duke it out with pollution, huh? Let’s see if he’s got the gloves for it.
So, Michael Regan is on a mission to clean up the mess left by power plants? About time someone tackled that head-on!