The Governors' Wind Energy Coalition has released a letter to Gina McCarthy, administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), expressing the group's support for wind energy as an eligible measure for states to utilize to comply with upcoming carbon emission rules. The EPA is currently working on standards under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act to limit carbon emissions from existing power plants.
‘We urge the EPA to appropriately recognize wind energy and other renewable energy sources that can reduce carbon emissions,’ the letter says. "Additionally, EPA should give states flexibility in meeting EPA requirements, expedite approval of state plans, reduce state and federal administrative burdens, and provide credit for the clean energy investments that have already been made to improve our nation's energy future."
"On behalf of the coalition, we respectfully urge you to support wind energy's potential to further reduce carbon emissions while helping to maintain the reliability and affordability of the nation's electricity system," the letter continues.
Notably, American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) CEO Tom Kiernan recently said at the organization's WINDPOWER 2014 conference that the implementation of the Section 111(d) rules could increase demand for wind power, as well as help revive some state renewable portfolio standards.
The full letter from the Governors' Wind Energy Coalition is available here.
