The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’'s proposed emission standards for existing coal-fired power plants would drive up electricity costs and threaten the reliability of the power supply while failing to curb global greenhouse gasses, the PA Coal Alliance said Monday.

"Once again, federal regulators are pushing impractical standards without regard for their consequences," Alliance CEO John Pippy said.  "Those consequences include driving up electricity prices and eliminating the most reliable power source from the nation's energy portfolio.  Moreover, as developing nations increase their reliance on coal, it will put this country at a competitive disadvantage, and global greenhouse gas emissions will increase rather than decrease.

"As the country's second-largest energy producing state, Pennsylvania will be hit particularly hard.  Thousands of direct coal industry jobs will be lost in the 30 Pennsylvania counties that produce coal, and an even greater number of indirect jobs will be lost throughout all other sectors of the state's economy."

"A commonsense approach that reduces emissions within what science and technology allow would create a win-win scenario that preserves jobs and maintains reasonable electricity prices.  We don't need to choose between the economy and the environment.  We can address both with collaboration between regulators and all energy stakeholders."

For more information, visit the PA Coal Alliance webpage. Click Here to read the Pennsylvania Economy League of Greater Pittsburgh's study of the coal industry's economic impact in Pennsylvania.

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6/9/2014