U.S. Appeals Court upholds EPA carbon emission cuts amid GOP challenge
On July 19, a U.S. appeals court ruled in favor of an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation requiring deep cuts in power plants’ carbon emissions, allowing it to proceed while considering a challenge from over two dozen Republican-led states. The regulation targets existing coal-fired plants and new natural gas plants, with a compliance deadline in 2030.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit stated that a stay was unnecessary as the states face no immediate harm. The EPA expressed satisfaction with the ruling, while West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, leading the challenge, vowed to seek a stay from the Supreme Court.
Part of President Biden’s climate agenda, the rule aims for a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2032. It faces opposition from states like Indiana, Ohio, and Kansas, as well as electric utility, mining, and coal industry groups. Compliance would require the costly installation of emissions control technologies or the shutdown of the dirtiest coal plants.
The EPA argues the reductions are feasible with carbon capture and sequestration technology, though challengers claim the method is unproven and costly, and that the EPA exceeded its authority without explicit congressional approval.
Source: Reuters
