Sep 6, 2014 2 min read

In response to your Monday story, “Coal supporters see reign lasting,” it is just not true that “nobody’s going to get to vote” on Environmental Protection Agency regulations to limit carbon dioxide from existing power plants.

U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster has introduced bills to put the EPA under the authority of Congress, and these bills fail. The mercury regulations that First Energy is blaming for the closures of the Hatfield’s Ferry and Mitchell power stations also withstood a challenge in the U.S. Senate. First Energy declines to mention that they could simply support their workers and purchase available controls to comply with these necessary pollution standards.

First Energy has to acknowledge that it has built more coal power than is needed and should be held liable for the job losses. In May, the PJM electrical grid decreased its power requirement and increased the savings afforded to energy efficiency. The 13-state grid reduced its power necessity so much that First Energy’s Bruce Mansfield coal plant near Shippingport is not needed even though it can power 1.5 million homes. The industry never admits to overdevelopment. They blame the EPA.

The coal industry must consider the benefits of energy efficiency. We need a flexible power grid, not unnecessary power plants.

Russell Zerbo

Philadelphia

Zerbo is the federal advocacy coordinator for the Clean Air Council.