WYOMING — On May 11, Governor Mark Gordon criticized the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed rule that targets coal— and gas-fired power plants, for its top-down approach that he claims neither targets emissions nor supports innovation through carbon capture and storage.
The EPA’s new proposed rule would require power plants to capture smokestack emissions by 2038 in an effort to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Plants unable to meet the new standards would no longer be able to operate.
The Governor’s office put out a press release arguing that the new rule would impede Wyoming’s recently submitted state plan for climate pollution reduction, increase costs for power plant operators and threaten grid stability.
According to the press release, the Governor has been consistent in his support for carbon capture technology and has advocated for Wyoming to continue its leadership in carbon management.
“One has to wonder if this Administration has their head in the sand to be so tone deaf,” Gordon said. “Instead of encouraging states with diverse and ample energy sources to chart a course towards energy independence and economic diversity, this misinformed, conflicting and altogether unworkable program ignores the essential role that carbon capture must play in a reliable energy future.”
This would be the first time the federal government has restricted carbon dioxide emissions from power plants.
“EPA must work with states on solutions that meet the needs of those states, rather than release edicts from afar that will destroy Wyoming jobs and communities, such as this proposed rule,” Gordon said.
