Letter to Gina McCarthy, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency - Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units
Letter
January 15, 2014
The Honorable Gina McCarthy
Administrator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, Northwest
Washington, D.C. 20460
Dear Administrator McCarthy,
We are writing to request a sixty day extension of the comment period for the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed rule titled Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units (RIN 2060-AQ91).
Given the 2.5 million comments EPA received for the previous version of this rule and the many stakeholders who could be affected, we believe a comment period extension is appropriate.
As you know, the EPA's actions have far-reaching implications, and this proposed rule affects not only coal and natural gas companies but also energy-intensive industries like manufacturing and construction as well as average American families trying to pay their electric bills.
Given that nearly forty percent of electricity in the United States is generated by coal, it is especially important to carefully consider both the short- and long-term ramifications of this proposal. In some states nearly ninety percent of electricity is coal-powered, so consumers could be especially hard-hit. We have already heard an outpouring of concern from constituents alarmed about this proposal's impact on energy affordability, job creation, and long-term economic growth. Allowing stakeholders additional time to comment will ensure those wishing to share their views are able to do so and will enable the EPA to more fully consider public opinion.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to working with you to develop commonsense policies that protect our precious natural resources while creating jobs, lowering costs, and boosting our economy.
Sincerely,
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