EPA's Impact on Coal Power Plants
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November 10, 2011 Dear Sisters and Brothers, As discussed with many of you earlier this week, we are deeply concerned over the compliance requirements of two recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Rules. If these rules stand as they are, the unreasonable deadlines will certainly result in the closing of many of our coal-burning plants across the country and force the layoff of many of our members. I want to bring you up todate as to where this matter is at and what we are doing. The Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSARP) requires utilities to reduce power plant emissions that may cause air-quality complications in neighborin g states and has a Phase I compliance deadline of January 1,2012 and a Phase II compliance deadline of January I, 2014. The Utility Maximum Achievable Control Technology Rules (Utility MACT) requires a decrease in mercury emission at power plants with a current compliance deadline of January I, 2015. Almost all of the country's coal-fired plants will be required to retrofit their tacilities in order to meet the standards set by these rules. The current deadlines simply will not allow most utility companies adequate time to comply and these companies will be forced to close plants and lay off workers. In addition to the devastating loss of jobs, it is also expected that the current compliance deadlines will result in dramatic increases in electricity rates and jeopardize the stability of the electric grid. Yesterday, Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Dan Coats (R-Ind.) introduced the bipartisan Fair Compliance Act which proposes to create more reasonable timelines for compliance with these two rules. The proposed legislation would provide utilities with an extension of time and synchronize the implementation schedule for meeting compliance, providing a new deadline of January I, 2017 for both rules. In addition, the bill would also require utilities to submit implementation plans to NERC to (I) ensure that compliance will occur, and (2) to safeguard the reliability of the electric grid. These proposals will not alter the stringency of the EPA's rules in any way. We strongly support this proposal and believe that it is common sense legislation that combines the needs of protecting the environment and preserving American and UWUA jobs. We also believe that the additional time will result in the creation of additional, permanent UWUA jobs within newly retro-fitted plants. The UWUA has already sent letters of support to several Senators, a copy of which is attached, and I am working to schedule face-to-tace meetings with Senators who have UWUA constituents. We intend to deliver the message personally that we expect and demand they support UWUA issues and goals if they expect to look to us to be there for them when re-election rolls around. I hope to shortly appoint someone to work full-time to coordinate our efforts and be our voice on the Hill on this subject. In the meantime, I would request that each of you begin by calling and writing your own Senators and encourage them to co-sponsor the Act. For your additional information, I am also including a copy of the proposed legislation, a press release about its introduction, a fact sheet and talking points which summarize the bill. I will keep you updated, and thank you in advance for your hard work on this extremely important issue. Yours in Unity,
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