Clean Power Plan Attempts to Undermine Mississippi Clean Air and Clean Energy Success

JACKSON, MS - Donald Trump and his EPA Administrator, Scott Pruitt, announced today that they will repeal the Clean Power Plan. The plan gives states common sense carbon pollution reduction goals, the flexibility to set a plan that achieves these reductions and provides incentives to states to do so.

Under the Clean Power Plan Mississippi leaders had the opportunity to take full advantage by expanding energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. A strong state plan can reduce pollution and protect public health while jump starting a clean energy economy that creates good paying, local jobs, all the while saving homeowners and businesses money.

The Plan would have resulted in annual health benefits of between $14 and $34 billion. It would also reduce the average consumer’s electricity bill by $85 per year and save consumers a total of $155 billion over the course of the next decade.

A recent decision made by the Mississippi Public Service Commission (MPSC) to adopt a rule known as net metering, incentivizes homeowners, businesses and equipment leases to install rooftop solar and send their excess solar generated electricity back to the grid. In other words, electric customers like you and me will not only save on our monthly electric bills but we also become energy suppliers and receive credit for the clean power we generate. Here in Mississippi we have a unique advantage of long, sunny, summer days that coincide with our peak demand for electricity - air conditioning.

In addition, the MPSC recently took action to open a proceeding on a cutting edge Texas Wind Proposal that would bring over 2000 Megawatts of renewable, wind generated electricity to Mississippi. As a result, wind energy is poised to become the single largest source of electric power in Mississippi.  

In Response, Louie Miller, Chapter Director, Mississippi Chapter Released the Following Statement

“A Clean Power Plan that emphasizes energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy investments can save Mississippi families and businesses millions over the next 15 years, create a new sector of our economy, reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and in turn provide our children with an energy independent future and lower health bills to boot, thanks to cleaner air.

Clean, renewable solar and wind power also replaces dirty, expensive, volatile fossil fuels. When compared to traditional or experimental forms of fossil fuel energy - such as the more than $ 7.5 Billion Kemper Coal Plant – solar and wind energy is a bargain!

The Clean Power Plan is a home-run for all Mississippians and Mississippi leaders should stay the course regardless of the short sighted roll back announced today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.”

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