Clean Power Plan – Safeguarding Missouri’s Climate Future
By Andy Knott, Beyond Coal Campaign Senior Representative
In August, the US EPA released its historic Clean Power Plan (CPP) that will reduce climate-disrupting carbon pollution from existing power plants in the US by 32% by 2030. Each state is given an emissions reduction target depending on its level of carbon emissions, which is related to a state’s dependence on dirty coal. Missouri’s target reduction is approximately 30%.
Emission reductions will be phased in between 2020 and 2030. The CPP includes incentives for earlier reductions for energy efficiency projects in low-income communities and for renewable energy. States are also given flexibility in designing a plan to meet its target. Missouri DNR will be developing the state’s plan over the next several months.
Coal plant retirements secured under the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign along with Missouri’s Renewable Energy Standard and Energy Efficiency Investment Act mean that Missouri is well on its way to meeting the CPP. Clean energy investments spurred by the CPP will continue to grow Missouri jobs in the renewables and efficiency sectors. This will also reduce smog, fine particle and sulfur pollution from coal plants, meaning fewer asthma attacks, heart attacks and longer lives for Missourians.
Unfortunately, Missouri Attorney General (AG) Chris Koster filed a lawsuit against EPA to overturn the CPP. This short-sighted action at the behest of coal polluters would mean more pollution and fewer clean energy jobs for Missourians. Please contact AG Koster at 573-751-3321 or attorney.general@ago.mo.gov and ask him to stop this assault on public health and clean energy.