Castor, Levin, SEEC Call for Swift Finalization of Strong Power Plant Carbon Pollution Rule

Washington, D.C. – The Co-Chairs of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) — Reps. Doris Matsui, Mike Quigley, and Paul Tonko — and SEEC Members Reps. Kathy Castor and Mike Levin, along with 95 of their colleagues, sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan urging him to finalize strong limits on carbon pollution from fossil-fuel fired power plants by early next year. This follows a March 2023 letter that the SEEC leaders sent before the proposed rule was released in support of strong limits through EPA’s authority under Section 111 of the Clean Air Act.  

“EPA’s recent proposals address carbon pollution from existing coal plants and existing and new natural gas-fueled power plants to tackle the stark threat that climate pollution poses to Americans’ health and welfare,” the Members wrote. “EPA has the authority and the obligation under Section 111 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) to protect Americans from pollution sources that cause, or significantly contribute to, air pollution that endangers public health or welfare—such as carbon pollution from power plants. Congress reaffirmed this authority in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) by explicitly providing funding and direction for EPA to regulate power plants’ carbon pollution using existing authorities, which include those in Section 111. Congress was clear: EPA can and must use its CAA authority to establish carbon pollution standards for power plants. 

“Promulgating strong carbon pollution standards for power plants is one of the most effective tools President Biden’s administration has to tackle climate change. It is critical that these proposed rules be strengthened and finalized by no later than March 2024. We look forward to supporting the EPA in its crucial work to address climate pollution and ensure healthier air, with these standards and beyond.” 

The letter can be found here.