On Thursday, May 11, 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced new proposed regulations for coal- and gas-fired power plants in the United States that would dramatically reduce the carbon emissions from new and existing power plants—further demonstrating the Biden administration’s commitment to leading on climate.
“In the 25 years I have been engaging in EPA policies related to power plants, this is the most ambitious yet. These regulations will reduce our carbon emissions by cleaning up coal plants here in the Midwest and align with what the science is telling us about reducing our carbon emissions as a region and a country,” said J. Drake Hamilton, senior director, science policy at Fresh Energy. “I am looking forward to attending the Global Climate Summit in November knowing that the Biden Administration and the U.S. are delivering on its climate pledge.”
These proposed regulations come just a few months after Minnesota made climate history by passing the 100% clean electricity by 2040 law. Clean power generation is the foundation of a carbon-neutral economy and these regulations will ensure that electricity from power plants has much lower emissions. As the energy transition continues and we electrify everything that we can, it is all the more crucial that electricity comes from carbon-free and renewable energy sources like wind and solar.
“Fresh Energy is pleased to see the EPA moving to further regulate power plant emissions. This policy is a strong complement to Minnesota’s transition to 100% carbon-free electricity,” said Isabel Ricker, director, clean electricity at Fresh Energy. “We’re looking forward to further analyzing the role these regulations will play in long-term resource planning for Minnesota’s utilities and power generation across the Midwest.”
