Emissions Standards

On March 29^th, EPA filed its response to the D.C. Circuit Court on why the agency's regulations of carbon dioxide from power plants is legal. There’s no shortage of whoppers to highlight in EPA’s briefs. Here are a few:

It’s just the market trend, man. EPA insists the rule “follows existing industry trends without resulting in any fundamental redirection of the energy sector.”[1] Further, EPA argues, “these trends are due largely to falling prices for renewables and gas, as...
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EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy’s testimony before Congress today continues to leave unanswered questions and speculation about EPA’s activity level around the carbon rule, as well as what the stay means for states who would like to put their pencils down but fear the EPA’s retribution for holding off until judicial review is complete. Here’s the truth about the stay and what it means for states still considering whether to stop work: 1. The EPA’s own opposition brief to the...
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As most following the controversial carbon rule know, last Thursday the DC Circuit denied a request from 27 states and dozens of private parties to stay, or freeze, the rule until the court has a chance to rule on its legal merits. The decision was not altogether that surprising, given the makeup of the DC Circuit and the seemingly boundless deference given to federal agencies to regulate the environment. Nevertheless, the carbon rule is a model case for a stay to be issued, and the case law...
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WASHINGTON -- American Energy Alliance President Thomas Pyle issued the following statement on the DC Circuit's decision to deny a stay for EPA's carbon regulation:

"While not surprising, the DC Circuit’s decision is disappointing and erroneous. If the DC Circuit is not going to protect the American people from EPA’s overreach, it’s all the more important for state leaders to do so. The court’s decision doesn't change the fact that states should not prematurely make commitments...

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Today, AEA President Thomas Pyle penned an op-ed in Morning Consult cautioning state leaders against submitting a state plan for EPA’s carbon regulation. EPA, environmental groups, and utilities are pressuring state leaders to submit state plans by implying that a federal plan will be much worse for their citizens. But as Pyle points out, state and federal plans are essentially the same. The only major difference is that a state plan locks citizens in to this costly regulation—even if...
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Many states are concerned about job losses and higher energy prices resulting from EPA’s regulation of carbon dioxide emissions from power plants—what EPA calls the “Clean Power Plan.” EPA, environmental pressure groups, and utilities have called on states to submit compliance plans. Some are explicit about submitting a state plan to avoid an allegedly more harmful federal plan. At the same time, 27 states have sued EPA, and the rule’s future is in legal limbo. EPA’s...
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WASHINGTON – In a speech today at the Paris climate summit, President Obama made two claims that do not stand up to scrutiny: 1) That a deal reached in Paris would be "legally binding," at least in part, and 2) That the U.S. would meet the president's commitment to contribute $3 billion to the Green Climate Fund. American Energy Alliance President Thomas Pyle issued the following statement:

"President Obama can ‘commit’ to anything he wants, but because he also committed to...

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WASHINGTON -- American Energy Alliance President Thomas Pyle issued the following statement after the Senate voted 52-46 to block EPA's carbon regulations and the House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced two resolutions to block the regulations:

"Congress is sending a clear message to countries around the world that there is significant opposition to President Obama's unlawful carbon regulations. World leaders who are banking on the U.S., and our resources, being a part of a global...

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This week, Dr. Jane Orient penned an op-ed in the Investor's Business Daily which shows how EPA's carbon regulations will harm public health. Orient, a general internist from Arizona, illustrates how despite EPA's claims, the regulations actually make Americans poorer and sicker. Below is an excerpt from the piece:

As a physician with decades of experience treating thousands of patients, I believe the EPA's "carbon" regulation would do tremendous harm to no benefit. EPA's purported health...

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WASHINGTON -- Today, the EPA began public hearings in Denver to fulfill the agency's public engagement and outreach obligations for their carbon regulation. The American Energy Alliance is providing the below background information to demonstrate how the Obama administration’s carbon regulation stands to impact energy costs, jobs, and the economy in Colorado. In fact, the latest study from NERA Economic Analysis released this month reports that under this regulation, electricity prices in...
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