ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 1 ACCCE-GA-plant-ruling
ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE) today issued this statement in response to the Georgia Superior Court ruling revoking the air pollution permit of LS Power Group and Dynegy's proposed Longleaf Energy Station.
"We disagree with the court's ruling and believe that it is a direct result of the Sierra Club's much-publicized ploy to stop any new coal-based power plant by 'clogging-up the system' with lawsuits," said Joe Lucas, ACCCE's vice president of communications.
"By delaying Georgia's first new coal-based power plant in 20 years, the court has left the generator exposed to increased project costs and the potential for an electricity shortfall. Customers of the proposed plant will bear the brunt of the costs, especially if the delay forces the generator to deploy a fuel strategy that relies on more expensive fuel sources.
"Georgia is the latest example of a state-specific carbon dioxide ruling. Just last week in Arkansas the state's Commission for Pollution Control and Ecology denied a petition from the Sierra Club attempting to remove carbon dioxide from the air containment list in Arkansas, largely because there is no consensus on how carbon dioxide should be regulated or if the appropriate technology even exists.
"The conflict between the Arkansas and Georgia state rulings speaks directly to the need of a prudent Federal climate policy," continued Lucas. "Without the certainty of a Federal climate policy, utilities across the country are in limbo in terms of meeting their future energy needs and providing their customers with affordable, reliable electricity."
About ACCCE
The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE) is a non-profit, non-partisan partnership of companies involved in producing electricity from coal. Because coal is America's most abundant energy resource, ACCCE supports energy policies that balance coal's vital role in meeting our country's growing need for affordable and reliable electricity with the need to protect the environment. ACCCE also advocates for the development and deployment of advanced clean coal technologies that will produce electricity with near-zero emissions. Headquartered in Alexandria, VA, ACCCE has more than 40 members that represent more than $190 billion in annual revenues and employ more than 360,000 Americans. For more information, visit www.cleancoalusa.org or www.americaspower.org.
SOURCE American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity
