FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Contact: Tim Cywinski, (540) 272-5358, tim.cywinski@sierraclub.org
EPA Finalizes Package of Standards to Slash Power Plant Pollution, Helping Advance the Transition from Coal to Clean Energy
Federal standards will ensure cleaner, reliable power for Virginia, protecting the climate and the health of our communities
Washington, D.C. – In a major win for public health and climate, the Environmental Protection Agency finalized four separate standards today that will slash air, water, and carbon pollution from power plants.
These critical measures will substantially enhance the quality of air and water for families, particularly in Virginia communities suffering a disproportionate burden of pollution including the Dominion Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center in Wise County and the Dominion Clover Power Station in Halifax County.
Over one million people submitted public comments on proposals to strengthen these federal standards, including thousands of Sierra Club members and supporters who urged the Administration to adopt the most protective rules possible.
In response to the announcement of the standards, Connor Kish, Director of the Virginia Sierra Club released the following statement:
“Today is the culmination of years of advocacy for common-sense protections that will have a direct impact on the Commonwealth’s communities long forced to suffer in the shadow of the dirtiest power plants in the country. The pollution-slashing standards from the Biden administration represent a historic and decisive action to protect our health, our clean air and water, and preserve our collective future. It’s long past time to address the deadly pollution from fossil fuel power plants that have long endangered our communities, and we commend the Biden Administration for listening to the overwhelming public demand to deliver on its promise to ensure every person, in every community, gains access to clean air, safe drinking water, and a stable climate.
“This suite of regulations pushes us towards a 100 percent clean energy economy. This future hinges on a robust, cost-effective power grid that leaves no community grappling with the pollution jeopardizing their health and wellbeing. Slashing harmful emissions from the hundreds of fossil fuel power plants across the country is a critical part of that effort, and we look forward to working with leaders of all parties to manifest a clean, healthy, and just Virginia.”
Background for standards:
Carbon Pollution Standards:
- These final federal carbon pollution standards, issued under section 111 of the Clean Air Act, will control carbon emissions from new gas-fired power plants and existing coal-fired plants. These safeguards are among the most significant tools ever developed for reducing climate-disrupting emissions from the power sector, driving near-term retirements of uneconomic coal plants and slowing the buildout of large new gas power plants. Prior to now, there have been no federal limits at all on carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants and no meaningful limits for new sources.
- Today’s final rule does not address pollution from gas plants currently in operation. In February, the EPA announced the agency is currently working on issuing a new proposal to reduce carbon pollution from those sources along with safeguards against other harmful air emissions from gas plants.
- Mercury and Air Toxic Standards (MATS):
- These protections against heavy metals, mercury, and other hazardous emissions from coal-fired power plants will help protect vulnerable communities from some of the most dangerous types of air pollution, including cancer-causing agents and neurotoxins.
- The final updates to MATS will require the most polluting coal-fired power plants to reduce emissions of toxins such as chromium and arsenic by adopting cost-effective, readily available pollution controls. The updates also will finally require coal plants that burn lignite, or brown coal – almost all of which are located in Texas and North Dakota – to meet the same mercury standards as other coal plants for the first time, reducing their emissions by 70 percent.
- Effluent Limitations Guidelines (ELGs), or coal wastewater standards:
- These updated standards will improve upon existing safeguards by requiring further reduction in toxic wastewater discharged by coal-fired power plants through cost-effective and readily available control technologies. These plants are among the largest sources of hazardous wastewater pollutants like arsenic and mercury in the nation.
- The final guidelines also eliminate toxic scrubber and bottom ash wastewater discharges and address sludge collected at the bottom of coal ash landfills, which is often held for years then released into nearby rivers.
- Coal Ash Standards:
- These updated standards will protect the public from millions of tons of toxic coal ash sitting in old landfills and ponds across the country previously exempt from federal regulations.
- The updates to federal standards for coal ash will regulate coal ash disposed of in old landfills and other fill areas at power plants, not just ash in “active” landfills. For the first time, the rule will also regulate the many coal ash ponds located at retired power plants, called legacy ponds.
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The Sierra Club Virginia Chapter is a grassroots, non-partisan advocacy organization dedicated to building a commonwealth where all people may enjoy our natural treasures, access clean air and water, and thrive in a healthy community. At over 20,000 members strong, the Virginia Chapter coordinates action to promote climate solutions and oppose projects and policies that put the interests of polluters above the needs of communities through an inclusive, justice-centered movement. Learn more at www.sierraclub.org/virginia.