Electric Co-op Today

Warning of what he called “a great deal of uncertainty” ahead on carbon regulation, NRECA CEO Glenn English vowed that the association will work tirelessly to keep electricity affordable for its consumer-members.

Glenn English

“It’s highly unlikely that we’re going to see any carbon regulating legislation that will pass in this Congress. It will likely be put off until next year,” English told the Touchstone Energy® Virtual NET 2010 Conference, Aug. 31.

“So we’re left with the fact that in January, according to the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, we can expect to see rules and regulations that will begin the regulation of carbon” under the Clean Air Act.

English said that Congress never intended the Clean Air Act to be used in that way. “I was there during that period,” said the former Oklahoma congressman.

“At no time was there ever any discussion about that legislation, or any of the updates, reforms of the Clean Air Act, that mention the word ‘carbon.’ ”

Nevertheless, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2007 that EPA can use the law in that way.

“We’re hopeful that the Environmental Protection Agency will work with those of us in the industry to try to make sure that these rules and regulations are efficient and will work,” English said.

“But the law in itself calls for a tightening of standards each and every year. So from one year to the next we’re not going to know under this law what requirements will be coming forward. We expect it will be a slow tightening of regulations on carbon.”

Tags: Climate Change Legislation, Environmental Protection Agency, NET Conference, Touchstone Energy