Abby L. Harvey
GHG Monitor
6/5/2015
The state of Wisconsin may be unable to comply with the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed carbon emissions standards for existing coal-fired power plants, Governor Scott Walker (R) told President Barack Obama in a May 21 letter. The proposed regulations, dubbed the Clean Power Plan, would require states to develop action plans to meet federally set emissions reduction goals. “The State of Wisconsin has deep concerns regarding our ability to develop a state plan to comply with the proposal. The proposed rule is riddled with inaccuracies, questionable assumptions and deficiencies that make the development of a responsible state plan unworkable for Wisconsin,” Walker wrote.
Walker said the proposed rule does not recognize efforts that Wisconsin has already taken to reduce emissions, noting that the state has invested $10.5 billion in the past decade to reduce emissions. “This investment has resulted in 10 million tons of avoided carbon dioxide emissions– a 20 [percent] reduction since 2005. Rather than applaud this good work, the EPA proposal perversely penalizes our state for its past efforts,” Walker wrote. The proposed rule sets a goal for Wisconsin of a 34 percent reduction in power sector emissions by 2030.
If that goal were to be meet, Walker wrote, the cost to Wisconsinites would be substantial. According to the letter, complying with the proposed rule would cost the state $3.3-$13.4 billion. “[The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin] is predicting at least a 29 [percent] increase in electricity rates. Such an increase would be very difficult for many Wisconsin families to absorb, but also nearly fatal for our energy intensive manufacturers already operating on tight margins. There is no question in my mind that significant job loss will be a byproduct of this rule if it is not withdrawn or corrected,” Walker wrote.
