Lawmakers, Industry Urge EPA To Avoid CCS Mandate In Climate NSPS

摘要

West Virginia Democrats and coal industry officials are urging EPA against imposing strict carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) mandates in the agency's pending greenhouse gas (GHG) new source performance standards (NSPS) for existing and future power plants, fearing adverse economic impacts from CCS requirements. At the Aug. 1 meeting - attended by Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV), Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and others - EPA and White House officials also heard concerns about broader adverse economic impacts on the coal sector as a result of the agency's suite of energy rules affecting coal production, according to an industry source. Other rules include a recent maximum achievable control technology standard air toxics rule for utilities and a pending coal ash disposal rule. "It's not just one, it's kinda been death by a thousand cuts - it just so happens that CCS and the NSPS represent a knockout punch" for the coal industry under the various EPA regulations, the source adds.