The EPA released draft regulations on reducing carbon pollution from power plants today. The long awaited draft includes what seems to be a flexible approach to meeting decreases in carbon from Michigan’s fleet of more than 20 coal fired electricity generators. Making up 54% of electricity generated in Michigan, the coal fleet is on the path toward retirement already by Michigan utilities. Aiding in the transition from coal to clean energy could be the requirement by EPA to decrease our carbon emissions 30% by 2030, if done with enough flexibility to take into account Michigan’s unique needs and efforts on energy efficiency and renewable energy development.
Early reports seem to be that government officials and those in the energy industry alike will take time to review the rule and be part of a constructive dialogue to move forward the debate about how to handle our changing climate.
A quick summary of the stories released today follows below:
US
http://time.com/2806697/obama-epa-coal-carbon/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/epa-will-propose-a-rule-to-cut-emissions-from-existing-coal-plants-by-up-to-30-percent/2014/06/02/f37f0a10-e81d-11e3-afc6-a1dd9407abcf_story.html
http://time.com/2807369/epa-to-seek-to-cut-power-plant-carbon-by-one-third/
http://www.vox.com/2014/6/2/5770506/remember-when-the-gop-believed-in-climate-change/in/5534613
Michigan
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140602/POLITICS02/306020087#ixzz33VWsmyyP
http://www.mlive.com/lansing-news/index.ssf/2014/06/epa_carbon_pollution_rules_mic.html#incart_river
