Gazette editorial: W.Va.’s chance at the future (EPA)
Charleston Gazette-Mail
Gazette editorial: W.Va.’s chance at the future
Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell is urging everyone to just ignore new EPA rules to lower power plant emissions by 2030 to forestall the worst effects of climate change. States should just refuse to develop and submit plans to comply with the new rules, he argues.
So far, to his credit, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has not joined in this defeatist strategy.
Even the recalcitrant states that do strike such a pose are on their way to meeting these standards. Kentucky is a perfect example. Five of the state’s older coal-burning plants are already scheduled to switch to natural gas or close, The Washington Post reported last month. Kentucky’s greenhouse gas emissions are expected to fall 16 percent compared to 2012, putting Kentucky within easy reach of the new EPA emissions goals.
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So, what should Gov. Tomblin do?
He should take ownership of West Virginia’s part of this worldwide human problem. Direct Randy Huffman at the state Department of Environmental Protection to figure out the best way for West Virginia to do its part, get its emissions down, as painlessly as possible.
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Of course, the Legislature gave itself the authority to review (and demolish) any plan DEP comes up with. So even if DEP submits a plan, it will be all hands on deck among West Virginia leaders (Gov. Tomblin, Sen. Jeff Kessler, for example) to oppose the almost certain GOP attack on it.
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http://www.wvgazettemail.com/article/20150807/GZ04/150809627/1453
xp WV
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