Published: May 2, 2024 |

[Click image to enlarge]

The National Mining Association (NMA) has slammed the Biden administration’s Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) suite of rules specifically designed to force the closure of well-operating coal plants — plants that are the primary source of generation in many states, and the source of grid-saving baseload power across the country — while conducting zero analysis of the collective impact of the rules on grid reliability.

“For the last three years, the administration has methodically developed and executed a comprehensive strategy to force the closure of well-operating coal plants. It has refused to account for irrefutable evidence that electricity demand is soaring, disregarded validated reliability warnings from grid experts related to coal plant closures, and ignored the basic fact that there is no adequate replacement ready to replace the sorely needed, dispatchable generating capacity coal provides once it is shuttered,” said Rich Nolan, NMA president and CEO.

“We’ve seen this unlawful regulatory playbook before, challenged it and the Supreme Court agreed with our take; we will do so again and expect the same outcome,” added Nolan.

As outlined in the NMA’s recent white paper, The Grid Reliability Crisis Collides with Surging Power Demand, much of the U.S. grid is at risk with surging new electricity demand colliding with policy-driven power plant closures and mounting challenges to bring new resources and enabling infrastructure to the grid.

While the EPA removed existing natural gas plants from the requirements under this rule, as the NMA’s paper highlights, the gas system — from wellhead to power plant — has not been able to bridge reliability gaps during sharp renewable generation drops during extreme weather events due to gas delivery challenges and / or heating needs taking priority. By contrast, coal can be stored on-site and is not diverted for heating purposes.

Despite these realities, the EPA has never wavered in its plan or considered the cumulative impact of its plans, which include the Clean Power Plan 2.0, Mercury Air Toxics Standards (MATS), Steam Electric Power Generating Effluent Guidelines and Standards (ELGS), Ozone Transport rule, Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) legacy surface impoundment rule, particulate matter National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and expected Regional Haze state implementation plan disapprovals.

In March 2022, EPA Administrator Michael Regan said, “The industry gets to take a look at this suite of rules all at once and say, ‘Is it worth doubling down on investments in this current facility or operation, or should we look at the cost and say no… If some of these facilities decide that it’s not worth investing in [control technologies] and you get an expedited retirement, that’s the best tool for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”  Today he made good on that threat, despite the on-the-ground reality of soaring electricity demand with little replacement capacity coming online.

The National Mining Association (NMA) is the only national trade organization that serves as the voice of the U.S. mining industry and the hundreds of thousands of American workers it employs before Congress, the federal agencies, the judiciary and the media, advocating for public policies that will help America fully and responsibly utilize its vast natural resources. We work to ensure America has secure and reliable supply chains, abundant and affordable energy, and the American-sourced materials necessary for U.S. manufacturing and economic security, all delivered under world-leading environmental, safety and labor standards. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the NMA has a membership of more than 250 companies and organizations involved in every aspect of mining, from producers and equipment makers to service providers.

Be in-the-know when you’re on-the-go!

CLICK HERE to register your email address.

Copyright © 2024 Mining Connection LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.

For licensing permission, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)