SE Wyoming News

U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) has strongly criticized the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for finalizing its Clean Power Plan 2.0 regulations, which could potentially lead to the closure of gas and coal-fired power plants in the United States. Senator Lummis expressed her concerns about the impact of these regulations on Wyoming's energy sector, stating, “President Biden’s Green New Deal inspired rules appear designed to force the closure of Wyoming power plants with no plan to replace the energy currently being produced.”

Lummis emphasized the detrimental effects that these regulations could have on Wyoming's economy, saying, “This attack on Wyoming energy undermines our way of life by jeopardizing jobs and revenue for our state and local governments.” She further highlighted the impracticality and risks associated with the proposed regulations, noting, “Forcing the closure of gas and coal-fired plants that account for 60% of electricity generated across the country, while increasing demand by 30% through an electric vehicle mandate is not only unrealistic but dangerous.”

In response to the EPA's Clean Power Plan 2.0, Senator Lummis pledged to work with her colleagues to overturn the regulations and safeguard Wyoming's energy workers. She asserted, “I will be working with my colleagues to overturn this disastrous set of regulations and protect Wyoming energy workers who power this country.”

The background of the issue reveals that gas and coal-fired power plants currently contribute to 60% of electricity production in the United States. Moreover, studies have indicated that President Joe Biden's electric vehicle mandate could lead to a 30% surge in electricity demand. The EPA's proposal for existing coal-fired power plants, like those in Wyoming, includes a requirement for them to sequester 90% of their carbon emissions beyond 2040, a target deemed unattainable with current carbon capture technology.

Senator Lummis has been actively involved in opposing the Clean Power Plan 2.0, having joined 38 other Republican senators in filing comments on the proposed regulations back in August 2023. Together, they called on the EPA to withdraw its plans to compel the closure of coal and gas-fired power plants.

As the debate over energy regulations continues, Senator Lummis remains a vocal advocate for protecting Wyoming's energy industry and the livelihoods of those who depend on it.