Date: November 13, 2008 6:07:16 p CSTSubject: Fw: "Ruling: Coal Plants Must Limit C02"----- Forwarded by Paula Carrell/Sierraclub on 11/13/2008 04:06 PM -----
November 13, 2008
Contact: Virginia Cramer, 804-225-9113 x 102
Ruling: Coal Plants Must Limit C02
In a move that signals the start of the our clean energy future, the
Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) ruled
today EPA had no valid reason for refusing to limit from new coal-fired
power plants the carbon dioxide emissions that cause global warming. The
decision means that all new and proposed coal plants nationwide must go
back and address their carbon dioxide emissions.
“Today’s decision opens the way for meaningful action to fight global
warming and is a major step in bringing about a clean energy economy,” said
Joanne Spalding, Sierra Club Senior Attorney who argued the case. “This is
one more sign that we must begin repowering, refueling and rebuilding
America.”
“The EAB rejected every Bush Administration excuse for failing to regulate
the largest source of greenhouse gases in the United States. This decision
gives the Obama Administration a clean slate to begin building our clean
energy economy for the 21st century,” continued Spalding
The decision follows a 2007 Supreme Court ruling recognizing carbon
dioxide, the principle source of global warming, is a pollutant under the
federal Clean Air Act.
“Coal plants emit 30% of our nation’s global warming pollution. Building
new coal plants without controlling their carbon emissions could wipe out
all of the other efforts being undertaken by cities, states and communities
across the country," said Bruce Nilles, Director of the Sierra Club’s
National Coal Campaign. “Everyone has a role to play and it’s time that the
coal industry did its part and started living up to its clean coal
rhetoric.”
The Sierra Club went before the Environmental Appeals Board in May of 2008
to request that the air permit for Deseret Power Electric Cooperative’s
proposed waste coal-fired power plant be overturned because it failed to
require any controls on carbon dioxide pollution. Deseret Power’s 110 MW
Bonanza plant would have emitted 3.37 million tons of carbon dioxide each
year.
“Instead of pouring good money after bad trying to fix old coal technology,
investors should be looking to wind, solar and energy efficiency
technologies that are going to power the economy, create jobs, and help the
climate recover,” said Nilles.
To get background information and see how the case unfolded visit
www.sierraclub.org/coal/plantlist.asp
A copy of the decision can be found here:
http://yosemite.epa.gov/oa/EAB_Web_Docket.nsf/PSD%20Permit%20Appeals%20(CAA)/C8C5985967D8096E85257500006811A7/$File/Remand...39.pdf
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Christina Marie Yagjian
National Conservation Organizer
Sierra Club, Global Warming and Energy
202.675.7911
