By Molly Christian, NRECA

Electric cooperatives are applauding a recent series of actions announced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These actions would alleviate reliability and cost challenges for electric co-ops across the U.S.

The EPA said it will review and reconsider the Biden administration’s power plant greenhouse gas rule. The agency also plans to reconsider other rules hindering America’s energy dominance, including the mercury and air rule, ozone transport rule and power plant wastewater rule. The agency will also address a number of fundamental problems with the coal ash program and take other actions to unleash American energy while protecting the environment.

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the national trade association that represents electric cooperatives in D.C., flagged concerns with these rules in a letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin in January. NRECA CEO Jim Matheson met with Zeldin at EPA’s headquarters to discuss these issues. The letter served as a policy roadmap recommending ways the EPA could address harmful regulations for electric co-ops while ensuring reliable and affordable power and promoting a healthy environment.

The recent EPA announcements are another critical step that puts our nation on a path towards a more reliable and resilient electric grid—and not a moment too soon. The demand for electricity is skyrocketing, yet unrealistic public policy decisions are forcing always-available generation resources to retire faster than they can be reliably replaced.

Electric cooperatives appreciate the EPA’s recent actions that could bolster American energy dominance with sound policies that protect our environment––without leaving American families in the dark.