Washington DC (WBAP/KLIF News) – Ten federal judges are hearing arguments on the Clean Power Plan, which was announced by the Environmental Protection Agency earlier this year. The plan would require the reduction of emissions from coal-burning power plants.
Texas and West Virginia led 27 states in filing a lawsuit over the plan.
“What we need is more reliable energy, not less,” says Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. “The EPA is trying to stop that.”
The lawsuit says the Clean Power Plan would lead to economic loss, job cuts and a less reliable electric grid.
Paxton and West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrissey say the plan gives too much authority to the EPA. They argue the EPA should not act as an authority on what types of power are acceptable.
Instead, they say the EPA simply has the authority to regulate environmental issues.
The advocacy group, Environment Texas, says the electric market is moving away from coal-fired plants and the state can benefit from a focus on renewable energy.
“The town of Georgetown decided to go 100 percent clean energy not because of environmental reasons, but because the economics were so good, it just make sense to invest in wind and solar,” says Environment Texas’ Luke Metzger.
Texas already generates the most wind power in the United States, and Metzger cites a study released in May that says the state is on pace to reduce the percentage of its power generated from coal from 28 percent to six percent in 2035.
“Texas stands to benefit dramatically from the Clean Power Plan, not only in terms of cleaner air, but we have lots of clean energy that we could export to the rest of the country,” Metzger says.
Earlier this year, the Supreme Court ruled that the plan cannot be implemented until the lawsuit works its way through the courts.
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