Bianca Sanchez, bianca.sanchez@sierraclub.org
BOSTON, MA. – Today, the Biden administration finalized federal carbon pollution standards for new gas-fired power plants and – for the first time ever – existing coal-fired plants. These critically-needed standards will slash carbon pollution and improve air quality for families and communities across the country.
In March, the announced retirements of New England’s last coal-burning units marked the beginning of the end for coal in the region. However, the new carbon pollution standards announced today will serve as an additional hurdle for future gas projects, including Enbridge’s much-disputed state-crossing Project Maple proposal. Notably, as action is taken to clean up new and existing fossil fuel plants, regional clean energy sources – especially New England's abundant offshore wind resources – are continuing to build momentum.
The EPA estimates the carbon pollution standards will avoid over 1.4 billion million metric tons of CO2 pollution through 2047. The new standards will also improve air quality by cutting harmful pollutants, including smog- and soot-forming compounds that cause serious lung and heart ailments, as well as hazardous air pollutants like mercury. EPA projects that the standards will deliver up to $370 billion in climate and public health benefits over the next two-and-a-half decades.
These safeguards are part of a series of Biden administration initiatives aimed at reducing air and climate pollution, including measures to limit interstate ozone and soot pollution from coal and gas power plants, methane emissions from oil and gas development, and pollution from heavy-duty trucks and vehicles.
In February, EPA announced the agency will issue a new proposal to reduce carbon pollution and other harmful air emissions from existing gas plants separate from today’s final rule, which does not address pollution from gas plants currently in operation.
In response, Andrea Callan, Sierra Club’s Northeast Deputy Regional Field Director, released the following statement:
“By finalizing federal carbon pollution standards from existing coal and new gas plants, the Biden administration is delivering on its promise to ensure our New England communities enjoy the right to breathe clean air. While we are very pleased that EPA has taken bold action to limit carbon pollution from new gas plants, the job will not be done until we clean up pollution from existing gas plants too.
New England is leading the nation’s clean energy transition. With coal out the door, we cannot allow gas to gain ground in the region. Now is the time to double down on our states’ abundant clean energy sources – like offshore wind – that lower energy bills, bolster our reliability, and grow local economies. Together, across New England, we will continue to fight the build-out of new gas-fired power, push for greater protections for communities near existing gas infrastructure, and advocate for more clean energy sources.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.