New ACCCE Analysis Shows EPA Rules to Shut Down 22 Coal Units in Pennsylvania

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Results of a new analysis show that 22 coal-based electric generating units in Pennsylvania are scheduled to be shut down due, at least in part, to regulations issued by the Environmental Protection Agency. The closures in Pennsylvania represent more than 3,500 megawatts of electric generating capacity.

“Our country needs sound energy and environmental policies, and this bill is a critical step to getting us back on the right track”

The new analysis released today by the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE) shows 204 closing coal units nationally are spread across 25 states and represent 31,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity. The national closures are equivalent to shutting down the entire electricity supply of Ohio. So far, the total number of retirements nationwide is triple the amount of retirements that the EPA had predicted would be caused by its regulations.

“This is further evidence that EPA is waging a war on coal, and a war on affordable electricity prices and jobs. EPA continues to ignore the damage that its new regulations are causing to the U.S. economy and to states that depend on coal for jobs and affordable electricity,” said Mike Duncan, president and CEO of ACCCE.

According to the analysis, the states with the most coal-electric generating capacity being prematurely closed are Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina. These five states combined have 103 coal units scheduled to shutter, representing almost 18,000 megawatts. Other hard hit states include Indiana, Colorado and Iowa.

This week, the U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the “Stop the War on Coal Act of 2012,” H.R. 3409. The act combines several existing bills that have received bipartisan support in the House and would ensure that EPA regulations are sensible.

“Our country needs sound energy and environmental policies, and this bill is a critical step to getting us back on the right track,” said Duncan. “We appreciate the House standing up for America’s coal industry, and the families and businesses that rely on affordable electricity that coal continues to provide.”

About ACCCE

The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE) is a non-profit, non-partisan partnership of companies involved in producing electricity from coal. ACCCE supports energy policies that balance coal’s vital role in meeting our country’s growing need for affordable and reliable electricity with the need to protect the environment. ACCCE also advocates for the development and deployment of advanced clean coal technologies that will produce electricity with near-zero emissions. For more information, visit www.cleancoalusa.org or www.americaspower.org.