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New EPA Rule Threatens Reliability and Affordability of Electricity for Ohio
On April 25, 2024, the EPA released its long-anticipated final rule targeting all coal plants and new natural gas plants in the United States—including Ohio’s coal-fired Cardinal Plant in Brilliant, Ohio. The Ohio plant is the backbone of reliable, affordable electricity generation for Ohio’s 1,000,000+ electric cooperative members.
The new EPA rule demands fossil fuel-fired plants be 90% carbon emission-free by 2032 and points to carbon capture technology as a means to achieve it. Generating facilities unable to meet the demands would be forced to close.
“EPA has again proposed an unrealistic and unachievable set of regulations on the production of electricity. EPA mandates the use of unproven technologies and sets unrealistic compliance limits on power plants. They have ignored warnings that these rules will increase cost and threaten the reliability of our national electric system at a time when we are experiencing growing demand and already increasing costs,” said OEC President and CEO, Pat O’Loughlin. “Unfortunately, EPA rules will harm electricity consumers and our economy while promising dubious environmental benefit.”
Pat O’Loughlin, along with other leaders of power generation plants across the country, have testified on Capitol Hill to the public health-safety risks and negative economic impacts this EPA rule would impose on electric cooperatives members—and all electricity consumers.
Not only does the new rule put reliable, affordable power, and the integrity of the electric grid at risk, it all but ensures rolling blackouts will occur during cold winters, when electricity demand for heat to stay warm, exceeds available supply.
Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives has spent over $1 billion at Cardinal Plant since 2012 to reduce carbon emissions at the member-owned plant and has been recognized as one of the cleanest operating coal plants in the world.
Cardinal Plant supplies more than 70% of Ohio co-op’s electricity generation, of which 1,000,000+ people in 77 of Ohio’s 88 counties rely on every day to power their homes and businesses. Cardinal Plant employs over 300 people.
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Nearly 300 America’s Electric Cooperative PAC members of Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative and Midwest Electric gathered at Lincoln Ridge Farms last week for a legislative dinner. The event featured a lineup of influential speakers, including U.S. Congressman Jim Jordan (R-4th District), who discussed issues affecting both the nation and the electric industry.
The PAC (Policitical Action Committee) is a bipartisan committee dedicated to ensuring affordable energy, protecting jobs, and fostering economic growth through effective energy legislation.
Attendees were treated to a complimentary Italian dinner before diving into a night of engaging discussions. Congressman Jordan took the stage to highlight the “moments of magnitude” that define the future of the country, stressing that the upcoming election is one of those critical moments. He also touched on national security and expressed his appreciation for the work that electric cooperatives do in serving their communities.
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State Senator Rob McColley, along with State Representatives Angela King and Roy Klopfenstein, addressed several pressing issues. They discussed the uncertainty surrounding the future of energy, including the possibility of rolling blackouts due to the premature closure of power plants. They also spoke about Issue 1, an upcoming ballot measure in Ohio that will determine how the state draws its legislative and congressional districts.
“Due to the federal government’s uneconomical EPA regulations, we will be down to the lowest energy reserves ever in the next three to five years,” said Senator McColley. “We are facing a situation where there is a high potential for rolling blackouts and brownouts during times when people need energy the most. This is a government-created problem that must be fixed with the election.”
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Buckeye Power Chief Operating Officer Craig Grooms, who will take over as CEO once current CEO Pat O’Loughlin retires, spoke about the benefits of being a cooperative member. He explained that being a member makes you an owner of several power generation plants, including the Cardinal coal-fired plant in Brilliant, Ohio, and natural gas-fired plants in Convoy and Greenville, Ohio. Grooms explained how the cooperatives continue to invest in these resources to ensure their reliability, especially during peak demand times.
“We are making significant investments in the Cardinal coal-fired plant to comply with EPA rules that have already been passed, but we already have a group of new rules coming in that are intended to supersede the rules that the plant is already in compliance with,” Grooms stated.
The evening concluded with a Q&A session, allowing members to interact directly with the legislators and gain deeper insights into the issues being discussed.
Both PPEC and Midwest Electric Cooperatives are political leaders in the state of Ohio, with more than 1,400 America’s Electric Cooperative PAC members. The PAC is a bipartisan committee dedicated to ensuring affordable energy, protecting jobs, and fostering economic growth through effective energy legislation.
Photos from the evening are available on both PPEC’s Facebook page and Midwest Electric’s Facebook page. For more information about the PAC and upcoming events, please visit https://ppec.coop/PAC or https://midwestrec.com/political-action.