New EPA rules that threaten to cause electricity rates to “necessarily skyrocket” are also going to kill jobs all across the country. And the prospect of this attack on the economy is making both unions and small-government types stand up and protest.
A Texas company is suing to block new EPA “cross-state air pollution” rules. If the regulations are not changed, Luminant Energy claims it will be forced to close two plants and fire 500 people. Texas was not initially included in the new EPA rules that target sulphur-dioxin emissions with a mandate requiring a 64% reduction from 2010 levels, but in July the Lone Star state was added to the list.
The News-Journal of Longview, TX reports the new regulations will have a considerable effect on the region’s economy:
“This would be devastating to the Northeast Texas economy — not just Titus County,” Titus County Chamber of Commerce Director Faustine Curry said of the losses from the regional employer and taxpayer. “In Titus County, we have the power plant, the mines.”Union workers in Missouri recognize that the EPA’s aggressive push will cost consumers more money while threatening to destroy jobs.
Energy for Missouri Jobs is pushing for what they call a “balanced” approach from the EPA. Yahoo’s Business Wire reports with a quote from the former head of the St. Louis AFL-CIO:
“Missouri working families cannot afford regulations that will raise electricity costs and destroy jobs during this fragile economic recovery,” said Robert Kelley, President Emeritus of the St. Louis Labor Council and member of Energy for Missouri Jobs. “The EPA needs to consider a balanced approach that gives us cleaner air without sacrificing jobs and increasing energy prices.”
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