EPA'S REGULATORY TRAIN WRECK

An interesting post from www.nma.org about EPA regulations. This follows this post about domestic energy resources and jobs. This follows this previous post about the drilliling moratorium This follows this post  about a creative solution to Gulf drilling and this previous article about the recent news about the ban on offshore drilling to encourage American energy independence This is a key issue to prevent money from going to hostile countries such as Iran and Venezuela. For more posts like this click here!

EPA'S REGULATORY TRAIN WRECK


What It Is, When It's Coming and What You Can Do To Stop It




With 14 million Americans out of work, our nation's extraordinary, domestic reserves of coal are more critical than ever before - especially as a source of abundant, low-cost electricity capable of powering and sustaining a robust, long-term recovery. Even at a time of great economic stress, EPA is poised to enact a series of back-door mandates that threaten millions of American jobs and increases the cost of every households electricity-rates. Collectively, it's called the EPA "Train Wreck" - and it's right around the bend. Together, we need to oppose these regulations and urge our representatives to do the same.



We encourage you to use our form below to send a message to your representatives and urge them to oppose regulations that would further hurt America's economy and eliminate high-paying mining jobs across the nation.

As part of this regulatory power grab by the EPA, the agency is proposing a combination of major regulations and policy rules hat will affect multiple business sectors across the country. Of particular concern to mining, the EPA is proposing:



Greenhouse Gas Rule (GHG) - Increase U.S. Energy Costs/Reduce Household income - average income dropping by more than $1,200 annually by 2030*



EPA has moved forward with greenhouse gas regulations under the Clean Air Act. On Jan. 2, the EPA implemented its GHG permitting program for certain sources that emit GHG's above a certain threshold. In 2011, EPA will roll out GHG performance standards for power plants and refineries, including coal-fired power plants. This power grab will give the EPA unprecedented ability to regulate America's economy. American mineral and metal producers, small and large manufacturers and businesses of every variety that rely on affordable electricity will suffer the consequences. *Dr. Roger Bezdek, "Potential Harm of Greenhouse Gas Control Regulations to Minorities, Low-income Persons, the Elderly, and Those Living on Fixed Incomes," September 2010



Transport Rule - Estimated Cost: $130 Billion by 2015*



In 2005, EPA finalized the Clean Air Interstate Rule aimed at reducing nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide emissions by 70 percent by 2025. Only six years later, EPA is poised to impose a new nationwide mandate that, according to an analysis by Bernstein Research, has the potential to severely impact nearly 20 percent of the nation's coal-based generation. *Metin Celebi, Frank Graves, "Potential Coal Plant Retirements under Emerging Environmental Regulations", The Brattle Group, December 8, 2010



Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) Rule - Projected coal-plant closures as a result of rule: 30-70 GW*



EPA is slated to propose new standards requiring costly emissions controls, forcing coal units to install equipment that in some cases is prohibitively expensive, and other cases simply do not yet commercially exist. According to FBR Capital, the combination of the Transport and MACT rules could force the retirement of 30-70 GW of the lowest cost electricity generating capacity.



*Scott Disavino, "EPA regs may shut down 70,000MW of U.S. Coal Plants: FBR," Reuters, December 13, 2010



Ozone Rule - Estimated number of U.S. jobs lost: 7.3 million*

After imposing new rules lowering standards for ozone to 85 parts per billion (ppb) in 1997 and reducing that number again to 75 ppb in 2008, EPA has proposed new reductions to as low as 60 ppb. According to an analysis by the Congressional Research Service, moving the goalposts yet again would push 565 new U.S. counties into non-attainment status under the Clean Air Act.



*Unions for Jobs and the Environment, Comments on Proposed National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Ozone, March 22, 2010, (Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2005-0173;FRL-3102-1).



Coal Combustion Rule - As many of 350 coal-based facilities shuttered*



Cement, drywall, kitchen counters, even bowling balls - just some of the products that rely on recycled coal residuals as an essential component in their makeup. Such recycling activities could come under new threat if EPA re-categorizes these materials as "hazardous," costing as much as $75 billion over the next two decades according to the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).



*Neil King Jr., and Rebecca Smith, "White House, EPA at Odds Over Coal-Waste Rules," Wall Street Journal, January 9, 2010



And Workers Agree: New Rules Result in Lost Middle-Class Jobs

According to a report from the United Mine Workers of America, job losses associated with the closure of EPA-targeted coal units could be significant, amounting to more than 50,000 direct jobs in the coal, utility and rail industries, and an indirect job loss figure exceeding 250,000. These are the regions expected to be hit the hardest.



Without your action, these back-door mandates could threaten the jobs of millions of Americans, impede America's economic growth and increase the cost of electricity for families and businesses across the nation.



Contact your Representive and make your voice heard!