Winds Of Change For Texas Energy

By Audrey Bold

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision this month allowing the EPA to consider costs in regulating emissions by states for the benefit of downwind neighboring states (CSAPR or cross-state air protection rule) means that changes are imminent for state power generators. Specifically, for 28 states deemed upwind of others that are having air quality trouble, changes to coal-fired power practices seem a pressing concern. Some reports suggest that, together, the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) and the CSAPR might lead to the retirement of 60 gigawatts of coal-fired power plants by 2020 (that’s the energy equivalent of powering 15 million U.S. homes).