Have Environmentalists/EPA Triggered Electric Power Outages To 3 Million Americans?

JoeClarke.Net ^ | 07/03/2012 | JoeClarke.Net

[joeclarke]

As many people fall down in the sweltering heat, because of the loss of power to air conditioners, there are others jumping up and down, because the excessively hot weather seems be to punishing those naughty Americans, known around the world to use more than their "fair share" of energy. Coupled with the severe storms knocking out power lines, to an environmentalist, it may, indeed, be a perfect storm.

In the past several years, American power generating companies have been diverted from upgrading their existing equipment, including coal generating plants, transmission lines, substations, etc. on the Grid, by the incessant hounding of the EPA, which has redirected power companies away from upgrades and planned maintenance, and toward - anything but coal. The EPA has induced hundreds of billions of dollars of expenses, and plan even more penalties,fines, and taxes. To me, a penalty levied by the federal government is a fine, and is a tax. Justice Roberts doesn't like "quibbling over labels," but its all the same - mo money demanded by the government. BTW, In the Senate, “Energy policy has been creeping into the tax code [Carbon Tax] at an exponential rate" Senator Orrin Hatch, June 12, 2012.

From the East Coast, past Illinois, up to 3 million people have been without electrical power, and so the first suspects to be considered responsible for the catastrophes are, of course, the Environmental Protection Agency and its environmentally ill allies like the Sierra Club, as well as President Obama.

Even at this late date, 2,000,000 citizens are without power, including those within Washington, D.C. Bureaucratic slowdowns happily expected.

Obama promised to "bankrupt coal," and in fact, coal companies have been either closing down in droves, or are in the midst of powering down, thus causing the closure of coal powered electric generating stations, as well as coal mines, while firing thousands of workers. This prophetic notice by the Electrical Worker Online Coal Plant Shutdowns Threaten Blackouts from April of 2012, predicts exactly that - America's electric transmission grid will be overly burdened as coal plants are powered down:

"As utility companies face new deadlines for coal-fired power plants to comply with tight new EPA clean air regulations, many energy suppliers have plans to shutter plants that employ thousands of IBEW members rather than invest in costly upgrades.

If thousands of megawatts are suddenly taken off-line, this could trigger massive electricity shortages, just as demand is expected to increase, according to a regional transmission organization report.

A report from PJM, a regional transmission organization covering 13 states and the District of Columbia, estimates that 18,000 megawatts of electricity will be lost to the power grid due to expected coal plant shutdowns. That's the loss of enough power to light and heat 18 million homes."

It is very difficult to research the direct relationship between this June-July power outage and the powering down/switching/closing of coal fired electric generating plants, because the media is very protective of everything the evironmentalists and Democrats pontificate, and will seldom do stories that give a black eye to the Greens. Even power companies are very beholding and sensitive to the federal government environment czars, and must constantly ingratiate themselves in the presence of Obama's regulatory czars.

Even if the recent power outages are more due to storm/mechanical damage to the electric grid, rather than the unavailability of backup power due to decommissioning of generating plants, the fact is, that American power companies have been distracted by the EPA and federal government from upgrading the transmission stations and other infrastructure as they are forced to invest capital into ways of transferring from the traditional (and cheap) coal to other sources such as natural gas. Either way, Obama's big rear is still sitting on American energy production. And, don't think they won't be going after natural gas with a vengeance, as they have attacked oil and nuclear through the years.

Here are some alarming charts/graphs of what is planned by the EPA as it robs Americans of its choice to use plentiful coal for energy.

From The Business Insider:

'The Cross-State Air Pollution Rule has received nothing but negative feedback from the affected energy industry, which argues the stricter federal emission law will result in higher costs for electricity and massive loss of U.S. jobs. The plan will also require billions of dollars to retrofit power plants with clean coal technologies.

According to a study prepared by the National Economic Research Associates (NERA), the legislation is among the most expensive EPA rules ever imposed on coal-fueled power plants that will cause electric rates to skyrocket by as much as 23 percent and lead to nationwide employment losses totaling 1.4 million job-years by 2020.

Power-plant closures are expected to increase in the coming months, as utilities complete their cost analyses of complying with the Cross-State rule, according to Industrial Info Resources. The EPA rule has already forced coal facilities in Ohio, North Carolina, Georgia, and Texas to retire old units, rather than bare the expense of installing pollution-control equipment.

The coal industry maintains that the EPA doesn't seem to care about the economic damage new regulations will cause."

From The Institute For Energy Research:

IER Identifies Coal Fired Power Plants Likely to Close as Result of EPA Regulations:

[Navy Patriot]

Have Environmentalists/EPA Triggered Electric Power Outages To 3 Million Americans?

Yes, without a doubt.

[cripplecreek]

We had two power outages in two days here in southern Michigan last week and didn’t even have storms.

[dirtboy]

From the East Coast, past Illinois, up to 3 million people have been without electrical power, and so the first suspects to be considered responsible for the catastrophes are, of course, the Environmental Protection Agency and its environmentally ill allies like the Sierra Club, as well as President Obama.

Uh, no.

It was a big honkin' derecho. Look up the term and the news before making such an uniformed claim.

There will be brownouts and blackouts because of EPA policy regarding coal plants. This is not one of those.

[dirtboy]

Er, uninformed claim.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

It was inevitable.
And just what they wanted.

[dirtboy]

This ain't the EPA:

[cripplecreek]

Write or call your congressman and ask him to support H.R. 750 (Defending America’s Affordable Energy and Jobs Act). It was introduced by Tim Walberg of Michigan and now has 101 co sponsors but the more the merrier.

If passed it will strip the power to regulate away from the EPA and put it in the hands of congress (and by extension our hands)

Current co sponsors

Rep. Dan Burton [R-IN5] (joined Mar 02, 2011)
Rep. Steven “Steve” Chabot [R-OH1] (joined Mar 02, 2011)
Rep. Louis Gohmert [R-TX1] (joined Mar 02, 2011)
Rep. Jim Jordan [R-OH4] (joined Mar 02, 2011)
Rep. Jean Schmidt [R-OH2] (joined Mar 02, 2011)
Rep. Blake Farenthold [R-TX27] (joined Mar 03, 2011)
Rep. Robert Latta [R-OH5] (joined Mar 08, 2011)
Rep. Bill Huizenga [R-MI2] (joined Mar 09, 2011)
Rep. Michele Bachmann [R-MN6] (joined Mar 10, 2011)
Rep. Lynn Westmoreland [R-GA3] (joined Mar 10, 2011)
Rep. Bob Gibbs [R-OH18] (joined Mar 11, 2011)
Rep. Daniel Lungren [R-CA3] (joined Mar 11, 2011)
Rep. Sandy Adams [R-FL24] (joined Mar 14, 2011)
Rep. Tom McClintock [R-CA4] (joined Mar 14, 2011)
Rep. Dennis Ross [R-FL12] (joined Mar 14, 2011)
Rep. Rob Bishop [R-UT1] (joined Mar 16, 2011)
Rep. Michael Conaway [R-TX11] (joined Mar 16, 2011)
Rep. John Fleming [R-LA4] (joined Mar 16, 2011)
Rep. Trent Franks [R-AZ2] (joined Mar 16, 2011)
Rep. John “Phil” Gingrey [R-GA11] (joined Mar 16, 2011)
Rep. Andy Harris [R-MD1] (joined Mar 16, 2011)
Rep. Randy Hultgren [R-IL14] (joined Mar 16, 2011)
Rep. Jack Kingston [R-GA1] (joined Mar 16, 2011)
Rep. Doug Lamborn [R-CO5] (joined Mar 16, 2011)
Rep. Randy Neugebauer [R-TX19] (joined Mar 16, 2011)
Rep. Steven “Steve” Pearce [R-NM2] (joined Mar 16, 2011)
Rep. Mike Pence [R-IN6] (joined Mar 16, 2011)
Rep. Reid Ribble [R-WI8] (joined Mar 16, 2011)
Rep. Phil Roe [R-TN1] (joined Mar 16, 2011)
Rep. Edward “Ed” Royce [R-CA40] (joined Mar 16, 2011)
Rep. Joe Walsh [R-IL8] (joined Mar 16, 2011)
Rep. Scott Tipton [R-CO3] (joined Mar 29, 2011)
Rep. Jeff Denham [R-CA19] (joined Apr 01, 2011)
Rep. Joseph Pitts [R-PA16] (joined Apr 01, 2011)
Rep. Dennis “Denny” Rehberg [R-MT0] (joined Apr 04, 2011)
Rep. John Carter [R-TX31] (joined Apr 13, 2011)
Rep. Mike Coffman [R-CO6] (joined Apr 14, 2011)
Rep. Walter “Wally” Herger [R-CA2] (joined Apr 14, 2011)
Rep. Candice Miller [R-MI10] (joined Apr 15, 2011)
Rep. Gary Miller [R-CA42] (joined May 10, 2011)
Rep. Mike Pompeo [R-KS4] (joined Jun 14, 2011)
Rep. Peter “Pete” Sessions [R-TX32] (joined Jun 14, 2011)
Rep. Walter Jones [R-NC3] (joined Jun 16, 2011)
Rep. Jeff Flake [R-AZ6] (joined Jun 22, 2011)
Rep. Billy Long [R-MO7] (joined Jun 22, 2011)
Rep. Rick Berg [R-ND0] (joined Jun 23, 2011)
Rep. Shelley Capito [R-WV2] (joined Jun 23, 2011)
Rep. Thaddeus “Thad” McCotter [R-MI11] (joined Jul 06, 2011)
Rep. Tim Murphy [R-PA18] (joined Jul 06, 2011)
Rep. James Lankford [R-OK5] (joined Jul 18, 2011)
Rep. Robert “Bob” Goodlatte [R-VA6] (joined Jul 19, 2011)
Rep. Vicky Hartzler [R-MO4] (joined Jul 19, 2011)
Rep. Steve Austria [R-OH7] (joined Sep 08, 2011)
Rep. Jeff Duncan [R-SC3] (joined Sep 08, 2011)
Rep. Stephen Fincher [R-TN8] (joined Sep 08, 2011)
Rep. Tom Graves [R-GA9] (joined Sep 08, 2011)
Rep. Tim Huelskamp [R-KS1] (joined Sep 08, 2011)
Rep. Lynn Jenkins [R-KS2] (joined Sep 08, 2011)
Rep. Samuel “Sam” Johnson [R-TX3] (joined Sep 08, 2011)
Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer [R-MO9] (joined Sep 08, 2011)
Rep. Kenny Marchant [R-TX24] (joined Sep 08, 2011)
Rep. Jeff Miller [R-FL1] (joined Sep 08, 2011)
Rep. Rob Woodall [R-GA7] (joined Sep 08, 2011)
Rep. Larry Bucshon [R-IN8] (joined Sep 12, 2011)
Rep. Trey Gowdy [R-SC4] (joined Sep 12, 2011)
Rep. Mick Mulvaney [R-SC5] (joined Sep 12, 2011)
Rep. Diane Black [R-TN6] (joined Sep 15, 2011)
Rep. Scott DesJarlais [R-TN4] (joined Sep 15, 2011)
Rep. Bill Flores [R-TX17] (joined Sep 15, 2011)
Rep. Samuel “Sam” Graves [R-MO6] (joined Sep 15, 2011)
Rep. Frank Guinta [R-NH1] (joined Sep 15, 2011)
Rep. Marsha Blackburn [R-TN7] (joined Sep 21, 2011)
Rep. Kevin Brady [R-TX8] (joined Sep 21, 2011)
Rep. Francisco “Quico” Canseco [R-TX23] (joined Sep 21, 2011)
Rep. Alan Nunnelee [R-MS1] (joined Oct 05, 2011)
Rep. David Schweikert [R-AZ5] (joined Oct 06, 2011)
Rep. Thomas Marino [R-PA10] (joined Oct 13, 2011)
Rep. Kevin Yoder [R-KS3] (joined Oct 13, 2011)
Rep. Kristi Noem [R-SD0] (joined Oct 24, 2011)
Rep. Addison “Joe” Wilson [R-SC2] (joined Oct 24, 2011)
Rep. Donald Manzullo [R-IL16] (joined Oct 25, 2011)
Rep. Steve Southerland [R-FL2] (joined Oct 25, 2011)
Rep. Paul Broun [R-GA10] (joined Nov 02, 2011)
Rep. Mark Amodei [R-NV2] (joined Dec 14, 2011)
Rep. Lamar Smith [R-TX21] (joined Dec 20, 2011)
Rep. Paul Gosar [R-AZ1] (joined Dec 23, 2011)
Rep. Justin Amash [R-MI3] (joined Jan 10, 2012)
Rep. Cory Gardner [R-CO4] (joined Jan 10, 2012)
Rep. Chuck Fleischmann [R-TN3] (joined Jan 24, 2012)
Rep. Adam Kinzinger [R-IL11] (joined Jan 25, 2012)
Rep. Ben Quayle [R-AZ3] (joined Mar 05, 2012)
Rep. Thomas Rooney [R-FL16] (joined Mar 22, 2012)
Rep. Clifford “Cliff” Stearns [R-FL6] (joined Mar 29, 2012)
Rep. Dan Benishek [R-MI1] (joined May 09, 2012)
Rep. Austin Scott [R-GA8] (joined May 09, 2012)
Rep. Tim Scott [R-SC1] (joined May 09, 2012)
Rep. Pete Olson [R-TX22] (joined May 10, 2012)
Rep. John Culberson [R-TX7] (joined May 15, 2012)
Rep. Steve Scalise [R-LA1] (joined May 15, 2012)
Rep. John Mica [R-FL7] (joined Jun 21, 2012)
Rep. Jeb Hensarling [R-TX5] (joined Jun 26, 2012)

[Navy Patriot]

You be right.

[MHGinTN]

But of course these thugocracy regulators and their leadership must not be deposed if it means voting to elect Milt Rominy.

[dirtboy]

Could both of you please bother reading the news about the derecho that hit the region before commenting in such a manner?

This outage cannot be pinned on anything other than nature. I am sure we will see future outages from EPA anti-coal policies. But this was not from such.

[MHGinTN]

Do you suppose Barry Obama will sign this or that Harry the undertaker Reid will allow it to pass through his senate?

[EGPWS]

Have Environmentalists/EPA Triggered Electric Power Outages To 3 Million Americans?

It will help feed the anger and hatred of people before the elections just in case it looks like 0bama may lose and needs to order martial law and stifle the 22 amendment to stay in the Oval Office.

[beethovenfan]

The EPA is a treasonous organization and must be abolished. Screw the enviro-wackos.

[cripplecreek]

Could both of you please bother reading the news about the derecho

Oooh scary hispanic word. It must be bad. It doesn't matter how many times you say it, it was still a strong thunderstorm.

[dirtboy]

Uh, read up on the event. It was nasty. People died from it.

[cripplecreek]

Yep, thunderstorms can kill people.

[dirtboy]

Just in case you want to read up on the details of this storm (yeah, it's the Wash Post, but it is accurate reporting of the system):

Derecho: Behind Washington, D.C.’s destructive thunderstorm outbreak, June 29, 2012

BTW, derecho is a meterological term.

[dirtboy]

Why persist in wallowing in ignorance of this particular event? You’re smarter than that.

[Cyber Liberty]

The article concentrates on the power plants shutting down, and I doubt that has exacerbated the fallout from the storms. But, if the EPA has been making grid maintenance difficult, then I’d happily toss some blame their way for the millions still w/o power.