Gov. John Hickenlooper (Democrat) and Attorney General Cynthia Coffman (Republican) are at odds over a lawsuit challenging the EPA’s Clean Power Plan (CPP).
“We do not support this lawsuit,” Hickenlooper said in an email. “Clean air and protecting public health should be everyone’s top priority. Colorado’s interest is best served by an open, inclusive process to implement the Clean Power Plan.”
Coffman criticized the CPP as “an overreach that has significant potential impacts on the energy economies of all of the states”and attacked the plan for job losses.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Emissions from power plants are estimated to account for about 40 percent of CO2 emissions nationwide. Colorado previously submitted comments to the EPA regarding its proposed rules. The comments discussed the significant work Colorado already has done to reduce CO2 emissions, including retiring or repowering coal-fired units, increasing renewable energy use and energy efficiency, and reducing energy demand.
“Colorado will be working to finalize a plan to meet the goals stated in these rules,” said Dr. Larry Wolk, executive director and chief medical officer for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “The EPA listened to Colorado and other states and stakeholders in making needed revisions, providing important flexibility to the states to craft specific strategies to reduce CO2 emissions and the time needed to accomplish the goals.”
Wolk noted that the plan’s incentives for economically disadvantaged communities, including the establishment of a Clean Energy Incentive Program that will encourage renewable energy and energy efficiency efforts benefitting those communities. Colorado’s Renewable Energy Standard (RES) and the 2010 Clean Air-Clean Jobs Act put the state in a leading position to address the regulation of CO2 emissions. Wolk said the plan is consistent with those efforts to lower emissions and improve public health. The CPP requires power plants to reduce CO2 emissions by 32 percent from 2005 levels by 2030.”
Colorado has adopted and implemented forward-thinking policies that have reduced CO2 emissions while ensuring a diverse, dependable and affordable energy mix,” said Joshua Epel, chairman of the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. “It is important for Colorado to continue to implement thoughtful energy strategies that ensure reasonable rates and maintain reliability while addressing environmental issues.”
The EPA estimates the CPP will cost between $5.1 and $8.4 billion in 2030. Combined climate and health co-benefits in 2030 are $72 to $92 billion. The projected change in average electric bills is minus 7.0 percent in 2030. Some national health benefits: 2,600 preventable deaths; 51,000 less cases of respiratory distress; 130,000 less lost work days; and 74,000 less asthma admissions. Job losses in 2030 are projected at 30,900 with new jobs at 52,440 to 83,360.
“Commenters have claimed that the emission guidelines and requirements for 111(d) state plans violate principles of federalism embodied in the U.S. Constitution. We disagree with these commenters’ conclusions, which rest on fundamental misunderstandings or inaccurate descriptions of the Clean Air Act, this rule, and the applicable case law. Far from violating principles of federalism, this rule and CAA section 111(d) fully respects such principles. They provide states with the initial opportunity to submit a satisfactory state plan, with no consequences to states in their sovereign capacity should they decline to participate. No state is legally required to submit a 111(d) plan, and the lone consequence for failing to submit a satisfactory 111(d) plan—imposition of a federal plan for affected EGUs in the state—does not violate the Tenth Amendment.” – Legal Memorandum CPP, in part.
A public meeting for the CPP will be held on Nov. 9, 2015, 4:30-6:00 p.m., at Fort Lewis College Student Union, Durango.
Chip Tuthill is a longtime Mancos resident. Sources used for this column: www2.epa.gov/cleanpowerplan and www.colorado.gov/cdphe/CleanPowerPlan
