United Mine Workers President Cecil Roberts contends newly-final federal rules on power plants represent a nail in the coffin for coal mining.
“We are analyzing the potential impact of this rule on our membership and will have more to say after that analysis is completed,” Roberts said this week.
“At first glance, however, this rule looks to set the funeral date for thermal coal mining in America for 2032 – just seven and a half years away – along with the hundreds of thousands of jobs that are directly and indirectly associated with it.”
Under the EPA rule announced this wee, coal plants that plan to stay open beyond 2039 would have to cut or capture 90% of their carbon dioxide emissions by 2032. Plants that expect to retire by 2039 would face a less stringent standard but still would have to capture some emissions. Coal plants that are set to retire by 2032 would not be subject to the new rules.
EPA’s rules come under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. EPA described the announcement as providing regulatory certainty as the power sector makes long-term investments in the transition to a clean energy economy.
“By developing these standards in a clear, transparent, inclusive manner, EPA is cutting pollution while ensuring that power companies can make smart investments and continue to deliver reliable electricity for all Americans,” said EPA Administrator Michael Regan.
The UMW’s Roberts, in a statement and on MetroNews’ “Talkline,” expressed doubt that technological innovations like carbon capture and storage are truly feasible or affordable as a way or continuing to use fossil fuels.
“There’s not anything we’ve found that would point in any other direction because carbon capture and sequestration is not available at this point in time, and it’s not cost efficient at this time,” Roberts said on statewide radio.
“Since we don’t have the technology, it looks to us as if 2032, if this rule stands as us, coal power power plants couldn’t operate after 2032.”
Roberts said the changes threaten the livelihood of members of the United Mine Workers. He said the rollout of the EPA’s power plant rules does not fulfill the administration’s promises to coalfield communities.
“I’m not trying to pick a fight with anybody, but I’m not going to mislead anybody either,” he said. “Part of the understanding was there would be jobs come to Appalachia — anywhere coal is currently being mined where power plants might close, coal mines might close — there would be good-paying union jobs to take their place. That has not happened either.”
The power plant announcement drew criticism from West Virginia political officials.
Senator Shelley Moore Capito, ranking member of the Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee, said she would introduce a Congressional Review Act resolution of disapproval to overturn the emissions rules.
Senator Joe Manchin predicted court challenges to the EPA’s new rule and projected the Senate Energy Committee that he leads would file a brief in support of the challenge. “And I’ll guarantee you, we will win in court.”
West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, a Republican who is running for governor, vowed a court challenge.
Gov. Jim Justice, a Republican who is running for U.S. Senate, blasted the EPA during an appearance Thursday at a West Virginia Coal Association event in Wheeling.
“The EPA and White House’s tone is clear: West Virginia doesn’t matter. We are being told to close our facilities and send workers home without considering the economic impact. All West Virginians need to support our miners right now,” Justice said.
“I refuse to accept that thousands of hardworking West Virginians in our plants and mines are expendable. I promise you, not under my watch.”