NEWS RELEASE (Editor’s note: News releases are published as submitted, with no editing unless they contain factual errors.)
(Phoenix)–The Arizona Corporation Commission is weighing in on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Power Plan after a federal appeals court declined to block a key Rule that limits carbon emissions from power plants.
Arizona is part of a 27-state coalition that filed suit against the EPA, arguing that the plan will devastate the coal industry resulting in job losses and skyrocketing electricity bills for customers.
A federal appeals court declined the states’ request to temporarily block the Rule requiring states to reduce carbon emission from electric-generating plants by 32 percent below 2005 levels by 2030.
“While the decision is disappointing, the acceleration of the case will at least allow the court to address the larger issues sooner than later,” said Interim Corporation Commissioner Chairman Doug Little. “We believe this lawsuit is winnable. The EPA is engaging in federal overreach of the worst kind. Should this rule be implemented, the economic impact on Arizona ratepayers will be severe especially in the rural parts of the state where the coal plants are located. We have to fight this as hard as we possibly can.”
The Rule could cost over $25 billion annually and consumers could see a 10 percent or more increase in bills.
The Arizona Corporation Commission filed comments to the court Thursday encouraging the EPA to provide states with as much flexibility as possible in designing and implementing the components of the Federal Implementation Plan and the Clean Energy Incentive Program.
Related: Court denies bid by AZ, others, to block EPA emissions plan
