Legalectric

Why did we just get notice on this yesterday?  ?????

Today was the day that the EQB hosts EPA rule listening session, but it was more like certain “stakeholders” voiced their opinion, got presentation time, access to the power point, and though first it was staff, and then Mark Seely, our renown climatologist, the discussion was dominated by Xcel Energy, Great River Energy, and Great Plains Institute, all entities with a strong interest in the promotion of transmission.

My handout for today:

EQB_June 18

The question I have is…well, there are several, but a primary one is “What is the EQB’s role in this?”

Seems to me that the EPA is going to delegate this to the states, as with other air emissions, and what I’m seeing is jockeying for position by “stakeholders” who are paid to be there or who are profiting from generating CO2, working to assure that the weakest possible regulation is adopted.  They’re going for the “consensus” approach, meaning that they’re gathering up as many names as they can, and want to say that here’s the “consensus” so it must be OK.  Well, no, it’s not…

I urged them to consider the policy impacts of this massive transmission build-out that enables marketing of all that coal.

Here’s links to where you can dig for the rule:

Proposed power plant regulations

Clean Power Plan Proposed Rule – June 2, 2014

Proposed Carbon Pollution Standards for Modified and Reconstructed Power Plants – June 2, 2014

Comments aren’t due to the EPA until October 16 (so I heard today, need to verify):

Submit your comments, identified by DocketID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2013-0602, by one of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking portal: http://www.regulations.gov

• Email: A-and-R-Docket@epa.gov. Include docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2013-0602 in the subject line of the message.

• Facsimile: (202) 566-9744. Include docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2013-0602 on the cover page.

• Mail: Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), Mail code 28221T, Attn: Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2013-0602, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20460. In addition, please mail a copy of your comments on the information collection provisions to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attn: Desk Officer for the EPA, 725 17th St. NW, Washington, DC 20503.