SCOTUS Allows EPA Rule that Threatens U.S. Power Reliability

The Supreme Court gave the Biden administration a surprise victory on Wednesday by denying an emergency request from over 20 state attorneys general and industry groups seeking to halt the Environmental Protection Agency’s strict regulations on power plant emissions.

This will allow the EPA to temporarily proceed with regulations that aim to compel existing coal and new natural gas power plants to reduce or capture 90% of their carbon emissions by 2032, potentially shutting down countless power plants amidst skyrocketing demand. 

Below is a statement that can be attributed to me, Craig Stevens, spokesman for the GAIN Coalition and former senior advisor to U.S. Energy Secretary Sam Bodman:

“The Supreme Court allowing the EPA to temporarily enforce its burdensome power plant regulation may be hailed as a ‘win’ for the Biden administration, but it is not a win for the American people. Energy demand is skyrocketing as technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and electric vehicles consume record amounts of electricity. 
 
“Our nation needs more power generation to ensure American families can afford to keep their lights on. The EPA’s regulation on power plant emissions does the opposite – setting an unrealistic requirement that will inevitably force plants to shut down entirely. 
 
“If Vice President Harris is elected and continues the policies of this administration, we’re headed down the path of California, where rolling blackouts and thousand-dollar monthly electricity bills are becoming the standard.”