Senate Dems to Obama: Reconsider coal rules

The Hill ^ | 5/21/14 | Laura Barron-Lopez

[mdittmar]

A collection of seven Senate Democrats are pressuring President Obama to scale-back the proposed carbon limits on new coal-fired power plants.

In a letter to Obama on Wednesday, the senators asserted that the technology the rule is based on is not commercially viable.

ADVERTISEMENT

"We are committed to improving air quality; however, the emissions standards in the proposed rule are not based on technology that has been adequately demonstrated on a commercial scale," the letter, spearheaded by Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (N.D.) and Joe Donnelly (Ind.) states.

Sens. Mary Landrieu (La.), Mark Pryor (Ark.) and Mark Warner (Va.), all vulnerable Democrats facing reelection in November, signed the letter.

"Understanding that affordable energy from coal will remain an important part of the world's economy, it is necessary for us to adopt the right policies and regulations that encourage long-term investment in further emissions reduction technologies and efficiencies," the letter adds.

Opponents of Obama's carbon emissions limits for new power plants have long argued that the carbon capture sequestration technology the Environmental Protection Agency proposes plants use is nowhere near ready.

Instead, such mandates would effectively shutter coal plants across the U.S., hurting the economy, and energy jobs, pro-coal Democrats and Republicans claim.

The senators recommended that Obama evaluate "more appropriate ways to regulate emissions."

"We urge you to consider an approach that establishes a standard in the near-term that can be achieved by high efficiency coal-fired technologies operating without CCS and lower standards over the long-term as CCS becomes commercially available," the senators write.

Sens. Joe Manchin (W.Va.), Claire McCaskill (Mo.) also backed the letter, which comes as the administration is preparing to propose the second rule apart of Obama's climate agenda for power plants, which applies to existing coal facilities.

[EagleUSA]

Anything to hurt America.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

When ordinary low-information people discover that skyrocketing prices are because of Obama’s War on Energy they will get the pitchforks out for these progressive parasites.

[EQAndyBuzz]

Obama could force this o th Amercan people, but god forbid he makes a decision on Keystone.

The Teflon President. Gotti was a piker compared to this one.

[digger48]

They’ll blame the greeeedy power companies first.

Liberal pundits and the media will gladly stoke that flame

[dowcaet]

Typical lib tactic. These seven leftists are worried about their reelection chances and don’t give two cents about their constituents or coal burning plants. This is nothing more than another shameless example of political expediency.

[andyk]

Lip service.

[Popman]

Democrat fear is in the air....

[CaptainMorgantown]

If these 7 democrats really wanted to stop their parties relentless attack on the livelihoods of ordinary people in their states, they could switch parties tomorrow and reorganize the Senate. That might make the Obama administration take notice.

A half-hearted letter, not so much.

[Popman]

When ordinary low-information people discover that skyrocketing prices are because of Obama’s War on Energy they will get the pitchforks out for these progressive parasites.

LOL...you must know a far different set of LIV than I do...

The ones I know will blame the power companies and demand a subsidy...after all they are "entitled" to cheap electricity

Because they are LIV they will never connect federal policy with skyrocketing costs

These "rich" people can afford to pay more taxes..

[Popman]

If these 7 democrats really wanted to stop their parties relentless attack on the livelihoods of ordinary people in their states, they could switch parties tomorrow and reorganize the Senate. That might make the Obama administration take notice.

I can see that happening if the Dims lose the Senate...

Two or three more GOP seats will really make a difference...

[BlueStateRightist]

“The ones I know will blame the power companies and demand a subsidy...after all they are entitled to cheap electricity.”

Just like the collapse of our health care system is the fault of the greedy insurance companies.

[Engedi]

One of my coworkers is a big feminist, Liberal, Democrat. I was telling her about the story I read recently about the solar panels out west burning up Birds, Eagles. She said “No coal, ban coal, use solar”. I said but, it’s killing our birds, she again just said, No coal, bad for environment. But earlier this year ranted about water out west and we have to save the fish, blah blah.

Idiot...

[The Antiyuppie]

“Anything to hurt America.”

Democrats, doing anything to save their jobs after selling the American people out for years. Nothing to see here.

[dowcaet]

Liberalism is a mental disease. You can’t reason with these idiots on any issue so why bother. Hopefully enough of them will figure out what a farce liberalism truly is and will change due to their own conscience.

[Spktyr]

Commercial solar panels have to be washed off on a weekly/biweekly basis (with LOTS of water) or they become useless. Might want to mention that.