Trump admin grants air pollution exemptions to 66 coal-fired power plants

[JACK AYLMER]

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS GRANTED EXEMPTIONS TO DOZENS OF COAL-FIRED POWER PLANTS FROM FEDERAL EMISSIONS RULES. 

THIS WILL ALLOW THE FACILITIES TO DELAY COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS DESIGNED TO REDUCE TOXIC AIR POLLUTANTS, INCLUDING MERCURY AND ARSENIC.

ACCORDING TO A LIST PUBLISHED THIS WEEK ON THE EPA’S WEBSITE, 47 POWER PROVIDERS — OPERATING AT LEAST 66 COAL-FIRED PLANTS — ARE GETTING TEMPORARY TWO-YEAR EXEMPTIONS. 

SEVERAL OF THE NATION’S LARGEST UTILITY COMPANIES, INCLUDING TALEN ENERGY, DOMINION ENERGY, AND NRG ENERGY, ARE AMONG THE RECIPIENTS.

THESE EXEMPTIONS APPLY TO RULES INTRODUCED UNDER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION-

WHICH WERE PART OF THE CLEAN AIR ACT AND AIMED TO LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF POLLUTION COMING FROM COAL-FIRED POWER GENERATION.

THE EPA STATED THAT THE EXEMPTIONS ARE INTENDED TO SUPPORT THE RELIABILITY OF THE U.S. ELECTRIC GRID, MAINTAIN AFFORDABLE ELECTRICITY, AND ENHANCE NATIONAL ENERGY SECURITY. 

IT ALSO FOLLOWS THE AGENCY’S ESTABLISHMENT OF A DEDICATED EMAIL ADDRESS FOR FOSSIL FUEL COMPANIES TO REQUEST THESE EXEMPTIONS-

AND A RECENT EXECUTIVE ORDER FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP, AIMED AT REVITALIZING THE COAL INDUSTRY.

HOWEVER, ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH GROUPS HAVE CRITICIZED THE DECISION.

THEY ARGUE THAT ALLOWING THESE PLANTS TO CONTINUE EMITTING HARMFUL POLLUTANTS UNDERMINES PROTECTIONS FOR CLEAN AIR-

WHILE SOME HAVE DESCRIBED THE EXEMPTION PROCESS AS FAVORING INDUSTRIAL POLLUTERS OVER ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY.

THE CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY ANNOUNCED TODAY IT HAS FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST SEVERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES WITHIN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION-

CALLING FOR THE RELEASE OF MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THESE PLANS TO BOOST THE NATION’S USE OF COAL, AS WELL AS OTHER FOSSIL FUELS.

FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS, I’M JACK AYLMER.