Coal industry calling for flexibility

November 13, 2013 | By Barbara Vergetis Lundin

The Pennsylvania Coal Alliance is calling upon federal regulators to allow flexibility for states developing emission standards in order to strike an appropriate balance between environmental improvements and economic concerns, as well as to work collaboratively with energy stakeholders (as the government did with the auto industry) to improve fuel efficiency and reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

Northumberland County, Coal Township, Pennsylvania (in red). Credit: Gerry D/Wikimedia Commons

To date, 300 coal-fired power plants in 33 states have closed, and taking coal entirely out of the nation's energy mix would have a negative impact on employment, the economy, electricity prices and the reliability of the power grid.

According to John Pippy, CEO of the Alliance, Pennsylvania is one of several energy-producing states that will be disproportionately harmed if regulators impose emission standards that are not attainable with current technology. He noted that the coal industry supports nearly 42,000 jobs and contributes $7 billion annually to the economy in Pennsylvania. Further, taxes on mining jobs generate $700 million annually at the federal, state and local levels.

"Ironically, the recently proposed EPA carbon emission standards will do little to curb carbon emissions globally, since developing countries such as China and India burn many times more coal than the U.S. and will continue to do so, to the detriment of U.S. competitiveness," Pippy said.

In addition to providing states with some flexibility in developing emission standards, Pippy contends that a "reasoned approach to environmental and energy policies would not interfere with the generation of affordably priced, reliably generated electricity."

Moreover, the standards should not cause additional plant closures and should remove barriers to energy efficiency at power plants, which enable reductions in emissions.

"Environmental quality is important to everyone, including the coal industry," Pippy said. "We don't need to choose between jobs, the economy, affordable energy, a stable electric grid and a clean environment. We can have all of those things if we work collaboratively to forge rational energy and environmental policies."

Pennsylvania is not the only state heavily reliant on coal. For example, coal provides 40.6 percent of the Illinois' electricity.

"Affordable electricity generated by coal-based power plants benefits Chicago homes and businesses alike. And new coal power plants using 'best in class' technologies provide the best opportunity to reduce emissions," Phil Gonet, Illinois Coal Association president, said. "We need a common sense approach to any policy changes as it is critically important for Chicago to continue to enjoy a reliable supply of affordable electricity in order to protect the state's manufacturing jobs."

Further, regional coal-mining activities in Illinois in 2011 supported 38,810 jobs and contributed $4,782 million in direct and indirect economic contributions, as well as helping to support 592,460 manufacturing jobs in the state.

"Flexibility is important because each state's energy mix and energy needs are different," Hal Quinn, National Mining Association president and CEO, said. "It would be unwise to diminish the role of a plentiful resource like coal in our energy mix just as new technologies allow us to use it to generate electricity in way that addresses America's economic and environmental interests in a balanced fashion."

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http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/coal-industry-calling-flexibility/2013-11-13