![\"EPA](\"https:\/\/www.thevwindependent.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/EPA-CO2-regulations-artwork-8-2015.jpg\" "\\"MGN")
<\/a>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.<\/p>\nPaulding Putnam Electric CEO\/General Manager George Carter says huge strides have already been made in the reduction of carbon dioxide.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m afraid that this new layer of regulation will increase electricity cost, without providing much in the way of environmental improvements,\u201d Carter added.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe new regulations are a clear overreach by the EPA that will dramatically reshape how America generates and uses electricity,\u201d Carter noted. \u201cRural America was completely left out of the EPA\u2019s Clean Power Plan; in fact, the White House fact sheet names many agencies and departments without including any agencies overseeing rural America.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs the Clean Power Plan regulations were revealed on August 3, Indiana\u2019s electric cooperatives are disappointed the EPA chose not to adapt their regulations to help protect affordable electricity for Hoosiers,\u201d said Rick Coons, CEO of Indiana Electric Cooperatives. \u201cWhile some modifications were made, the final regulations continue to reflect the fundamental flaws of the EPA\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n