The Pennsylvania Coal Alliance Praises Lawmakers For The Passage Of The Greenhouse Gas Regulation Implementation Act

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Coal Alliance (PCA), along with labor, businesses and electric ratepayers statewide praise Gov. Corbett for signing into law House Bill 2354. This measure which passed the House and Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support establishes a deliberate review process inclusive of all stakeholders to guide DEP in developing a state plan to comply with pending federal carbon emission reduction regulations (EPA's Clean Power Plan).

This unique piece of legislation, authored by Rep. Pam Snyder (D-Fayette/Greene/Washington) was critical as EPA's Clean Power Plan is as much environmental regulation as it is a state energy policy. The state's compliance with the proposed plan will profoundly impact the generation, use, cost and availability of Pennsylvania's electric supply in 2020 and beyond. 

"Fundamental questions about energy reliability, infrastructure and price need to be addressed during the planning phase to ensure that, whatever strategy for compliance Pennsylvania ultimately pursues, it will result in an electric generation mix that will achieve the emission reduction targets and maintain competitive pricing for manufacturers and consumers," said Pennsylvania Coal Alliance CEO, John Pippy.

The foundation of this bill is a process of hearings that will allow for full participation by all parties; academic, scientific, economic and governmental regulators. This will provide the necessary broad perspective to ensure that economic and energy-related questions are answered in a comprehensive manner.

"I've been doing business in Pennsylvania for 28 years and the EPA's proposed carbon regulations will directly impact my livelihood and the livelihood of those that we employ," said Tom Crooks, Vice President of R.G. Johnson. "Thank you to the legislature and Gov. Corbett for supporting legislation that takes a comprehensive approach to our energy policy and allows for the consideration of all impacts and outcomes of these proposed rules to ensure Pennsylvania's business owners and ratepayers are not overlooked in this process."

Officials in 30 states including attorney generals, governors, and state legislators have publicly opposed the EPA's Clean Power Plan. Pennsylvania's "look before you leap" legislation will ensure all aspects and outcomes are considered by the appropriate parties. PCA thanks the legislature for their insistence on inclusion in this process so that a balanced and fair process may be established.

The Pennsylvania Coal Alliance is committed to promoting and advancing the Pennsylvania coal industry and the economic and social benefit to the employees, businesses, communities, and consumers who depend on affordable, reliable, and increasingly clean energy from coal.

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SOURCE Pennsylvania Coal Alliance