After Walking Back Pledge To Shutter Coal Plants, Biden Admin Proposes Rule That Could Shutter Coal Plants

EPA regulations would impose additional compliance costs to coal plants and could cause them to shut down.

President Joe Biden’s Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday proposed a rule that could force coal plants to close—just months after the White House walked back Biden’s vow to shut down coal plants “all across America.”

The proposed rule The EPA’s regulations which require coal plants in the United States to remove certain metals from wastewater before it is released are strengthened. This mandate would require operators of plant to make technology improvements to ensure compliance. The compliance costs of these regulations, Washington Post reportedBy pushing coal plants to the side, this could speed up the gradual elimination of coal power. “shut down or switch to burning natural gas” Instead of paying the higher costs that the rule entails, Energy Information Administration data shows that coal power, which generated 22 percent of America’s electricity, was the country’s second largest source of electricity.

Although the EPA announcement doesn’t mention carbon emissions the rule’s impact could reflect the intense effort of the Biden administration to combat climate change. The rule also contradicts Karine Jean-Pierre, White House press secretary, who insists that the administration does not target coal plants.

Jean-Pierre in November walked back Biden’s anti-coal statements were made during a San Diego rally. He said that the administration would not be supportive of coal. “shutting these [coal] plants down all across America and having wind and solar power.” Jean-Pierre insists that Biden comes from “coal country” He was not trying to harm the workers of the sector, but was simply observing the imminent energy transition’s economic realities. “The president’s words, we believe, were twisted,” Jean-Pierre said.

The coal industry is a major contributor to the overall economy. employed In 2021, more than 120,000 Americans were dissatisfied. America’s Power, a coal industry group, is an example. assailed Biden’s “call to shut down coal power plants,” According to the EPA, a $1.2 trillion-dollar switch from coal power to wind power will cost taxpayers. The EPA proposes a rule to speed that transition.

The White House didn’t respond to a request for comment.

It is not the first time that the Biden administration contradicts itself in energy policy. John Kerry was the climate czar Tuesday attacked Biden was urging these companies to announce plans to boost production for several months.