Carolyn Morrisroe, carolyn.morrisroe@sierraclub.org
PINEVILLE, La. — 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.
The EPA estimates the carbon pollution standards will avoid over 1.4 billion metric tons of CO2 pollution through 2047. The rule 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 net 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, Emma Hopkins, Sierra Club Field Organizer for Louisiana and Arkansas, said:
“The Sierra Club applauds EPA’s new rule regulating carbon pollution for existing coal-fired power plants and new gas-fired power plants under section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act. People across Louisiana deserve to breathe clean air, and these regulations will improve air quality for us all. The EPA’s rule also makes clear that Cleco Power should retire its Madison 3 petroleum coke and coal plant rather than spending $1.4 billion to retrofit it with carbon capture and sequestration technology — ratepayer dollars that would be better invested in renewables, energy efficiency programs, and transmission. Moreover, CCS will not do anything to reduce Madison 3’s massive emissions of other harmful pollutants, like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and soot which can cause asthma and even premature death.”
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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.