Report: Looming EPA rules unlikely to hamper power reliability

A new report by a bipartisan think tank finds that a suite of looming Environmental Protection Agency rules are unlikely to disrupt the reliability of the nation’s electric power system.

The Bipartisan Policy Center’s staff report comes at a time when Capitol Hill Republicans and industry groups are seeking to delay or soften various EPA requirements, citing reliability fears among the reasons.

But the BPC says their analysis “indicates that scenarios in which electric system reliability is broadly affected are unlikely to occur.”

However, the study cautions that the rules present major planning challenges and notes more study is warranted to gauge “localized” reliability effects in some regions, among other recommendations for ensuring the regulations are implemented manageably.

The report suggests that legislation could help provide a “smoother transition” but cautions this must not come at the expense of what the BPC analysts note will be major public health and environmental benefits of the EPA policies.

“Several market-based, multi-pollutant legislative proposals have been debated in recent years. While recognizing that it would be politically difficult to advance new legislation, the BPC believes that this approach could provide public health and economic benefits and should be explored in the coming months,” the report stated.

EPA is in the various stages of crafting new rules to curb hazardous pollutants from power plants, impose new requirements on the disposal of waste products from coal combustion, cut ozone pollution and address other matters.