ST. PAUL, MN—President Obama and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled final details of the long-awaited Clean Power Plan Monday, a regulatory rule that sets emissions reduction goals for power plants on a state-by-state basis. Finalized targets were in many cases higher than those proposed initially by the EPA last year after the Obama administration moved the nationwide emission goal from 30% to 32%. States are tasked to draft and submit compliance plans to the Environmental Protection Agency to meet emissions reduction goals.
According to their website, the EPA has proposed state plans to be due next summer, at which point a final federal plan will also be issued "for meeting Clean Power Plan goals in areas that do not submit plans."
Minnesota's initial goal was set at 40.6% by 2030 with the finalized goal set at 40.3%. Under the Clean Power Plan, Minnesota does not get credit for significant emissions reductions that have already taken place under the Next Generation Energy Act, likely making emissions reductions under the new rule even more costly and difficult to implement.
Representative Pat Garofalo, R-Farmington, Chair of the Job Growth and Energy Affordability Committee issued the following statement regarding the release of the Clean Power Plan:
"These crushing new regulations will mean thousands of lost jobs and higher electric bills for families," Garofalo said. "Furthermore, this rule creates uncertainty regarding future power supplies and overall reliability of our energy grid. Keeping the lights on with reliable energy sources should be the government's first priority.
"It's imperative for Governor Dayton and Democrats to join Republicans in working with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to put forward a plan to the EPA that protects the jobs and family budgets of Minnesotans. Harnessing exciting new energy technologies will do more to clean up America's energy than any federal regulation ever will, and I'm committed to working to ensure that Minnesota remains a leader in developing cleaner and cheaper energy strategies."
Under legislation passed earlier this year, the legislature will be able to review the plan put together by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency before it is sent to the EPA. Governor Dayton and Democrats blocked efforts by Republicans in the legislature to subject the Clean Power Plan to legislative approval.
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