California Attorney General Calls on EPA to Withdraw Proposed Repeal of Greenhouse Gas Emission Standards

Strategic Insights -

California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the California Air Resources Board have joined a coalition of 23 states and cities in submitting a comment letter opposing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposal to repeal all greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards for fossil fuel-fired power plants. The proposal, if finalized, could increase carbon dioxide pollution contributing to climate change. Attorney General Bonta stated that the EPA must stop ignoring the facts and immediately withdraw this reckless proposal.

Key Takeaways:

  • The coalition asserts that the EPA's proposed rule would significantly undermine efforts to address climate change and expose communities to greater environmental harm.
  • The proposal would repeal both the 2015 New Source Performance Standards and the 2024 Carbon Pollution Standards, which limit carbon emissions from new natural gas-fired and existing coal-fired power plants.
  • Fossil fuel-fired power plants in the United States are collectively one of the largest contributors to climate pollution anywhere in the world.
  • The EPA's proposed finding that power plants do not "contribute significantly" to greenhouse gas emissions violates the law and common sense.
  • The proposal would also rescind EPA's 2015 finding that power plant GHG emissions significantly contribute to harmful climate change.
  • California has experienced two of the most destructive fires in state history, the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire, with over 37,469 acres damaged, 30 deaths, multiple first responders injured, and over 16,251 structures destroyed.
  • The comment letter highlights that the proposal arbitrarily and capriciously disregards effective measures plants can take to control their carbon dioxide emissions.
  • The coalition includes 23 states, cities, and local governments, including Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.
  • A copy of the comment letter can be found on the California Attorney General's website.

Statistics:

  • 23 states and cities joined the coalition in submitting the comment letter opposing the EPA's proposal.
  • 37,469 acres were damaged in the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire in Los Angeles County.
  • 30 people lost their lives in the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire.
  • 16,251 structures were destroyed in the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire.
  • The EPA's proposed rule could increase carbon dioxide pollution contributing to climate change.
  • Fossil fuel-fired power plants in the United States are collectively one of the largest contributors to climate pollution anywhere in the world.

Sources:

  • California Attorney General Rob Bonta's press release
  • California Air Resources Board
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • Comment letter submitted by the coalition to the EPA