Clean Air Act Needs Overhaul

 

 

MESSAGE
FROM
MANAGER

ALAN
LESLEY

 

Back in the early 1970s, when environmental protections in the United States were few, Congress passed the Clean Air Act, a seminal piece of legislation that helped reduce pollution emitted by vehicles, industrial facilities and power plants.

But like a well-worn jacket that’s been mended many times, the act has been changed in a piecemeal fashion over the past 40 years—the last major amendment was passed in 1990. These moves have created a patchwork of rules that helped dampen investment in electricity production.

Today, power generators must comply not only with numerous rules and regulations adopted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as it interpreted the Clean Air Act, but also with court decisions over how these rules should apply. These complex and sometimes ill-fitting regulations mean fewer power plants will be built and many older ones will shut down because of uncertainty over what will come next.

Glenn English, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, in his address to electric cooperative directors/trustees and chief executives during the association’s recent 2012 annual meeting, called on Congress to revisit the landmark environmental law and give it a complete overhaul with today’s environmental situation in mind.

“It’s time to recognize that over the past 40 years, much has been accomplished in improving the environment of this nation—no question about it,” English said. “It’s also time for us to recognize rules and regulations and court decisions that addressed problems over the past 40 years—their time has passed.”

He continued: “What we need today is for Congress and the president, our government and political leadership, to set new goals for the future—10, 20, 30 years down the road—and work with us to help rewrite the Clean Air Act so we can move in a direction without being hindered by a lot of old rules, regulations and court decisions.”

Well, you might ask, what does this have to do with me?

You, as a member of Comanche Electric Cooperative, can have an effect on the situation. If the 42 million members of electric cooperatives across this nation work together and speak with a loud enough voice, our elected officials will listen. We saw this a couple of years ago with the grassroots Our Energy, Our Future campaign, during which 500,000 co-op members asked Congress to keep electricity affordable.

CECA is always looking out for you. We believe that educating you, our members, about policies that affect the quality of your life will lead to better laws and regulations. CECA will continue to push for common sense approaches to state and national policies, such as the Clean Air Act. As a member, you can help by making your voice heard.