Coastal Georgia climate activists push emission regulation of power plants nationwide

Coastal Georgia climate activists push emission regulation of power plants nationwide

byChristian Felt

Tue, June 27, 2023 at 5:35 PM

Updated Tue, June 27, 2023 at 11:15 PM

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's proposed standards would require certain coal-powered plants to reduce carbon emissions by almost 90% by 2030 (Credit: Christian Felt/WTGS).

TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. (WTGS) — Climate activists and local politicians are pushing for the adoption of new CO2 emission standards for power plants across the nation.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's proposed standards would require certain coal-powered plants to reduce carbon emissions by almost 90% by 2030.

Several community leaders in Georgia hosted a press conference on Tuesday on Tybee Island to call on President Joe Biden's administration to finalize strong standards on climate pollution regulations.

Chris Carnevale with the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy said this would be a historic move that would further the Biden administration's commitment to clean energy.

"This is the first time that most carbon pollution from power plants has been regulated by the federal government, and it represents about a quarter of all the carbon pollution across the nation, so it's a very vitally important protection that will help protect public health and the environment," Carnevale said.

Savannah officials were also present to show their support for this effort, like 4th District Alderman Nick Palumbo.

He said it's about time the rest of the country caught up with the Hostess City when it comes to finding ways to rely less on power from coal and gasoline.

"This is a really encouraging move for our environment. We have known that these regulations have been coming down the pipeline for some time, and it's time to transition to new, cleaner, more efficient methods of electric production that are out there that are available on the market today," Palumbo said. "These are big investments that we are excited to have, especially here in Georgia, as we've been making them, and we want to see them expand across the country."

Carnevale added that there are various methods power plant operators can use to abide by these emission standards, like installing carbon capture technology or switching to fuels that produce less pollution.

He said that as the effects of global warming have worsened over the years, coastal communities like Tybee Island have been bearing the brunt of that pollution's many adverse effects.

"Carbon pollution is what fuels the climate crisis. It makes summers hotter. It makes storms stronger. It makes coastal flooding worse," Carnevale said. "So, coastal residents are on the front lines of the climate crisis. It's so hot today, and in the future, projections are that weather will only get hotter."

Heat indices did, indeed, near the 100s on Tuesday, as Southeast Georgia felt one of the hottest days of the summer to this point.

The EPA is conducting a public comment period for people to give their input on the proposed emission standards ending in early August.

Carnevale said that under the new standards, coal-powered plants that commit to retiring operation by 2040 would have less stringent pollution limits than those that plan to operate long-term.