Small business groups seek greenhouse gas rules for power plants
Washington (Platts)--11Jan2013/108 pm EST/1808 GMT
Five coalitions representing more than 150,000 diverse small businesses
nationwide Friday asked the Obama administration to proceed as soon as
possible with greenhouse gas regulations for fossil fuel-fired power
plants.
In a letter to the president, the groups tied control of emissions
linked to climate change with economic growth and said a survey of small
business owners supported finalizing GHG rules for power generation.
"National standards to reduce carbon pollution from new and existing
power plants will clarify risks and opportunities for US businesses
while also leading to technological innovation and investment in the
domestic clean energy market," the American Sustainable Business
Council, Environmental Entrepreneurs, Ceres, Green America, and VOIS
Business Alliance said in the letter.
Finalizing GHG new source performance standards under the Clean Air
Act for power plants "is an important step toward spurring innovation,
job creation and investment in low and no-carbon technologies, as well
as new energy infrastructure and energy efficiency," the groups said in
their letter. "Small business owners understand the nexus between
environmental and economic interests and believe that adhering to
sensible clean air standards can spark innovation and drive long-term
growth."
According to the groups, 76% of small business owners that they surveyed
support the US Environmental Protection Agency limiting carbon emissions
under the Clean Air Act. About 87% also agree that "improving innovation
and energy efficiency are good ways to increase prosperity for small
businesses," the group said in their letter.
EPA last year proposed GHG performance standards for new power plants
and is expected to finalize them this year. The agency has not said when
it would do the same for nation's existing coal-burning fleet.
--Cathy Cash,
cathy_cash@platts.com
--Edited by Valarie Jackson,
valarie_jackson@platts.com
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