WASHINGTON, D.C. — Federal EPA administrator Gina McCarthy said Monday the four public hearings scheduled this week on the proposed Clean Power Plan are an important part of the process. McCarthy spoke with reporters ahead of the hearings.
“I feel like we have received tremendous opportunity for comment and tremendous comments into the process already. We are excited to have these public hearings,” McCarthy said.
The hearings will be two days each; Tuesday and Wednesday in Atlanta, Denver and Washington, D.C. The fourth hearing is scheduled for Thursday and Friday at the William S. Moorhead Federal Building in Pittsburgh.
McCarthy announced the Clean Power Plant earlier this year. It takes aim at carbon emissions from existing power plants like those in West Virginia. It’s predicted by 2030 the emissions will be 30 percent below 2005 levels. Supporters of coal in West Virginia have said the plan could be the knockout blow for their industry.
Administrator McCarthy continued to maintain Monday the new rule will create jobs across the U.S. in clean energy production.
West Virginia will be well-represented at the Pittsburgh hearing Thursday. Coal supporters are chartering buses, the UMWA plans a rally and environmental interests also plan to attend. They see the proposed rule as a starting point.
McCarthy said the EPA has already received 300,000 comments on the proposal. The agency expects approximately 1,600 residents to attend the hearings.
“This plan is important but listening to people right now is the most important thing for EPA and I think the country to understand what the American public wants to see EPA do here,” she said.
The EPA has already received a lot of support for the flexibility the proposal provides to states according to McCarthy.
“Flexibility is a key to this. It allows each to succeed. It allows states to take action individually and regionally and we’re getting overwhelming support for that type of approach,” McCarthy said.
McCarthy will not be attending any of the hearings in person. She said Monday that would be unprecedented for an EPA administrator to do so.
The following is the hearing schedule:
July 29 and July 30, 2014
Atlanta, Georgia
9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (EST)
Omni Hotel at CNN Center
North Tower, Level M4
100 CNN Center
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Phone: (404) 659-0000
July 29 and July 30, 2014
Denver, Colorado
9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (MDT)
EPA Region 8 Building
1595 Wynkoop Street
Denver, CO 80202
July 29 and July 30, 2014
Washington, DC
9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (EST)
William Jefferson Clinton East Building, Room 1153
1201 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004
July 31 and August 1, 2014
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (EST)
William S. Moorhead Federal Building, Room 1310
1000 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222