Megan Wittman, megan.wittman@sierraclub.org
Oak Creek, WI – 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.
These standards further undermine the economic viability of Dairyland Power’s proposed gas plant, the Nemadji Trail Energy Center in Superior, as well as We Energies’ proposal to build out 3,000 MW of new gas, including converting its coal-fired Oak Creek plant to natural gas, a transition that would cost $1.2 billion dollars. More information on the EPA’s rules can be found here.
“We Energies has continued to double down on dirty fossil fuels and increase rates for customers. Now, these new standards from the EPA further show the harm We Energies’ plan for its Oak Creek gas plant and underscores the need to retire its existing coal power. Clean energy is the only economically practical solution,” said Cassie Steiner, Senior Campaign Coordinator, Sierra Club - Wisconsin Chapter.
More Information on the Carbon Pollution Standards
The EPA estimates the carbon pollution standards will avoid approximately 1.38 billion metric tons of CO2 pollution through 2047. This action 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 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.
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million 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.
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.