Some coal plants, that is …
Hidden in the open, amid much noise about the Obama Administration’s first steps, few have heard a very positive Obama team action that suggests that more tools are now on the table for turning the tides on Global Warming’s rising seas.
Less than three days after the Bush Administration ended, the Obama Administration Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sent the Otter Creek Big Stone II 500 megawatt coal plant back to the drawing boards, “citing worries about the plant’s contributions to global warming and inadequate emissions monitoring”. And, without a moment to spare. “This action took place on the dead last day for review for the plant’s application.”
There is not a single item that could happen more quickly or send a stronger signal that the United States is now quite serious about Global Warming than a decision to end the construction of new coal-fired electricity plants. All it would take is a finding, one possible from the EPA, that carbon dioxide and other global warming gases threaten our health. The Big Stone II decision is an indication that such a finding might come in the near future.
Kai Bosworth at It’s Getting Hot in Here has excellent ‘local’ coverage, giving a perspective on the gamesmanship surrounding plant construction. In this case, the plant is (was, we hoped) planned for South Dakota, even though the electricity would flow into the MInnesota marketplace. By doing so, the owners avoided Minnesota’s “more stringent” environmental regulations and permitting processes.
Kai provides the combined Clean Water Action/Sierra Club press release:
The EPA’s decision comes after the state failed to require state-of-the-art pollution controls for the coal plant that would address concerns about harmful soot, smog and global warming pollution.
“This is a great day not only for clean energy and people’s health, it’s a victory for the rule of law,” said Bruce Nilles, Director of the Sierra Club’s Move Beyond Coal Campaign. “EPA is signaling that it is back to enforcing longstanding legal requirements fairly and consistently nationwide,” added Nilles.
As the first major coal plant decision by the EPA since President Obama took office, this decision signals that the dozens of other coal plant proposals currently in permitting processes nationwide will face a new level of federal scrutiny.
“Scrutiny” from the Administration … this is phrase that has had too little meaning for too long.
Change has arrived …
“Today EPA took the first step toward restoring science and integrity to its work and recognizing the very real need to reduce air pollution from coal-fired power plants,” said Darrell Gerber, Clean Water Action Program Coordinator.
The signals don’t stop with Big Stone II. Brad Johnson of the Wonk Room gives the welcome news that another plant’s permit decision is stayed.
The EPA’s Environmental Appeals Board yesterday stayed another coal plant, the 1,500-megawatt Desert Rock Energy Station in Navajo Nation land in New Mexico. In its decision, the board agreed to “review an air permit the EPA approved in July” for the plant.
Now, in one of the (too) many closing Bush Administration anti-environmental actions from political appointees in the EPA, the EPA is currently enjoined from considering carbon dioxide pollution in coal plant permits. Let’s hope that the newly confirmed Administrator, Lisa Jackson, reverses that order forthwith.
And power lights and factories …
And, let’s talk for a moment about where this proposed plant lies … in the middle of some of the best wind resources for generating electricity not just in the United States, but in the world. Turning to clean, renewable power would provide more jobs, more stable (and less expensive) long-term electricity supplies, and reduce (rather than increase) the region’s carbon footprint. Let’s hope that this decision drives the local power companies and utility commissions to win-win-win solutions, moving away from the fantasy of “clean coal“.