EPA Considers Toughening Power Plant Rules
Over the last couple years, the Biden administration’s federal agencies have proposed rule after rule to establish additional red tape across our domestic energy sector. For example, the EPA proposed vehicle tailpipe emissions so stringent it would essentially mandate the widespread adoption of electric vehicles by 2030. Though the agency slightly walked back the requirements, the administration has turned its sights on gas power plants—an indication that it will play politics with our energy sector in an election year.
Discussions regarding the power plants standards will have significant implications for both the nation’s future energy security, as well as President Biden’s environmental-focused voters. The regulations are expected to be released this month, following an announcement in February that the final rule will not cover existing plants. According to the Washington Post, the requirements would effect new gas plants that operate more than 40 percent of the time.
The stringent power plants rule could not come at a worse time. The U.S. needs more electric generation to meet growing demand fueled by new data centers, the proliferation of artificial intelligence and the growth in adoption of electric vehicles and appliances. Restricting the ability to generate the necessary amount of electricity may lower emissions in the United States but will do nothing to stop the increasing pollution coming from countries like China or India. Instead, it will weaken our energy—and national—security, allowing hostile nations to take advantage of our deficiencies. President Biden and his administration’s agencies should stop playing politics with our energy sector and commit to reliable policies that strengthen electricity generation in order to meet the forecasted demand.
