Electric co-ops oppose new EPA rules

VW independent/submitted information

PAULDING — Paulding Putnam Electric and other electric co-ops in Ohio and Indiana are bracing for what is being described as the negative financial and reliability impacts of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) newly released Clean Power Plan regulating existing power plants.

Acting under what the EPA says is authority given to it by Congress under section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act, the agency released a final ruling on August 3 that will seek to limit carbon dioxide emissions from power plants.

Paulding Putnam Electric CEO/General Manager George Carter says huge strides have already been made in the reduction of carbon dioxide.

“I’m afraid that this new layer of regulation will increase electricity cost, without providing much in the way of environmental improvements,” Carter added.

Electric cooperative members across the country have for years been working to lessen the impact on the environment by adding renewable generation and lower-emitting resources while saving consumers money on their electric bills through energy efficiency programs.

“The new regulations are a clear overreach by the EPA that will dramatically reshape how America generates and uses electricity,” Carter noted. “Rural America was completely left out of the EPA’s Clean Power Plan; in fact, the White House fact sheet names many agencies and departments without including any agencies overseeing rural America.”

In 2014, Indiana electric cooperatives led a coordinated grassroots campaign in response to these regulations as part of the public comment period. Over 90,000 Hoosiers asked the EPA to reconsider its approach.

“As the Clean Power Plan regulations were revealed on August 3, Indiana’s electric cooperatives are disappointed the EPA chose not to adapt their regulations to help protect affordable electricity for Hoosiers,” said Rick Coons, CEO of Indiana Electric Cooperatives. “While some modifications were made, the final regulations continue to reflect the fundamental flaws of the EPA’s original proposal. We believe these regulations will add additional and unnecessary burdens to already rising costs without making any meaningful impact on carbon emissions worldwide.”

Buckeye Power and Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives President and CEO Pat O’Loughlin also released a statement regarding the decision.

“While changes were made to the Clean Power Plan, those changes haven’t gone far enough to ensure the affordability and reliability of the electricity our members count on,” the statement said. “We will be thoroughly examining the final version of the regulation to determine its potential impact to our members.”

Paulding Putnam Electric Co-op is encouraging members to help fight for affordable electricity by joining ACRE/COPA®, a political action committee that represents the voices of electric co-op owners on Capitol Hill.

For more information, visit www.ppec.coop/acrecopa-sign-up.