EPA White Paper is Critical First Step to Limit Climate Pollution from Gas Plants

Washington, DC – Today, the EPA released a draft technical white paper on measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from gas-fired power plants.

Despite the clear scientific consensus that, in order to avert the worst of the climate crisis, we must stop the expansion of new fossil fuel infrastructure entirely, utilities across the country are proposing to build more than 200 new gas plants without any plan to control their greenhouse gas pollution. This white paper is an important step in developing more stringent nationwide standards to limit this pollution, which EPA issues under section 111 of the Clean Air Act. The release of the white paper kicks off a public comment period ending June 6. 

In response, Sierra Club Senior Attorney Andres Restrepo released the following statement:

“With cleaner, cheaper, and safer renewable energy available, there’s no reason for any new fossil fuel power plant to move forward; indeed, we must stop fossil fuel-powered electricity altogether if we want to avert the worst impacts of climate change. EPA must send the clearest signal possible, as soon as possible, that no gas plants can be built in the US without meeting the strongest possible emission standards and that the companies behind them are using the best available technologies to limit greenhouse gas emissions.

“We applaud EPA for taking seriously harmful air pollution from the power sector and taking this important step forward to address it, but even the strongest standards must be part of a broad and ambitious strategy to address all causes of the climate crisis and ensure a just and equitable transition to a clean energy economy. EPA’s standards on climate pollution must be matched with the Biden administration’s all-of government approach to addressing the climate crisis and environmental justice, including the broad deployment and support for clean, renewable energy.”