BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C–Electric cooperatives across the country are urging the Environmental Protection
Agency to be mindful of coal’s reliability and affordability when drafting carbon dioxide regulations for existing power plants.
According to coop officials, the U.S. needs to be able to utilize coal, nuclear energy, natural gas, etc in order to keep electric bills affordable.
“Electric cooperatives are concerned about the environment, but one thing we can’t forget is people,” said Leisa Stilley, Manager of Economic Development for Berkeley Electric. “Our members can’t afford costly regulation that will increase their energy bill.”
Coop officials say the EPA has embraced an all but one approach to producing energy, and that way greatly restricts the future use of coal to generate power.
Berkeley Electric Coop CEO, Dwayne Cartwright, has stated that his utility company does not have enough money to pay for new federal regulations on coal-fired electric power plants.
If the EPA regulations are passed as proposed, coop officials say members’ bills could go up as much as $79 per month, or 54%.
“Please join us in giving us time to do this right,” pleaded Stilley. “We can find the answers and the technology, but let’s do it in a way that won’t hurt us here at home. We are all in this together and together we can make a difference.”
Coop officials are urging coop members to visit: action.coop to tell the EPA they oppose the new regulations in an effort to keep rates down.
