Rick Perry Attacks American Health and Prosperity in Bid to Bail Out Coal Plants
EDF statement from Jim Marston, Vice President, Clean Energy
(WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 29, 2017) Secretary of Energy Rick Perry took unprecedented action today by pushing the independent Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to set aside competitive markets and instead permit government intervention to prop up uneconomic coal-fired power plants. The Secretary’s request would increase electricity bills throughout the nation to subsidize coal plants otherwise unable to compete in a free market.
“This is an unprecedented attack on American’s health, environment, and wallets,” said Jim Marston, vice president, Clean Energy. “Undermining and politicizing our grid will only increase electricity bills throughout the nation while increasing dangerous air pollution in our communities.”
Perry’s announcement comes just a month after the Department of Energy attempted to prop up the coal industry with a new study about the reliability of the nation’s electricity grid. The attempt failed when the study proved the grid is reliable.
“Secretary Perry’s entire tenure at the Department of Energy has been one effort after another to prop up the coal industry,” said Marston. “His directive to FERC would set aside competition and free markets to instead mandate winners and losers by favoring coal over other energy resources. It would ultimately increase customers’ energy bills and air pollution, and weaken the critical independence of FERC.”
One of the world’s leading international nonprofit organizations, Environmental Defense Fund (edf.org) creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships. With more than 3 million members and offices in the United States, China, Mexico, Indonesia and the European Union, EDF’s scientists, economists, attorneys and policy experts are working in 28 countries to turn our solutions into action. Connect with us on Twitter @EnvDefenseFund
Media Contact
Latest press releases
-
U.S. Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Investments, Jobs Continue to Grow
August 20, 2024 -
Public Interest Groups Defend SEC’s Climate Risk Disclosure Rule
August 15, 2024 -
Puerto Rico Hit by Tropical Storm Ernesto
August 14, 2024 -
La Tormenta Tropical Ernesto toca tierra en Puerto Rico
August 14, 2024 -
Localized air monitoring in New York’s disadvantaged communities underscores the need for immediate action to cut air pollution
August 14, 2024 -
Appeals Court Rejects Attempt to Block Mercury and Air Toxics Protections
August 6, 2024