Senate thwarts Democrats' efforts to abolish coal plant regulation
The Senate has rejected a bid to repeal an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that raises the cap on emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from coal-fired power plants in Indiana. The vote, taken on Tuesday, was 51-47 along party lines.
The rejected bid was for S.J. Res. 60, a Congressional Review Act resolution. The decision to raise the cap on nitrogen oxides emissions was attributed to a combination of factors, including delays in two previously planned plant retirements and the impact of the Supreme Court's stay of the EPA's latest "good neighbor" plan.
The "good neighbor" plan, a regulation aimed at reducing cross-state air pollution, was issued by the EPA. Last year, the Supreme Court stayed the latest iteration of this plan. The delays in the two previously planned plant retirements and the stay of the EPA's latest "good neighbor" plan combined to influence the decision to raise the cap on nitrogen oxides emissions.
The interim final rule, which raised the cap on emissions of NOx from coal-fired Indiana power plants, was made during the summertime ozone season, which runs from May through September. The decision to raise the cap was also attributed to the fallout from the Supreme Court's decision last year to stay the EPA's latest "good neighbor" plan.
The bid to repeal the EPA rule was made by the top Democrat on the Environment and Public Works Committee, but the Democrat who introduced S.J. Res. 60 in June is not identified in the available search results. Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) did not vote.
The rejection of the bid means that the interim final rule remains in effect, allowing coal-fired Indiana power plants to emit more nitrogen oxides during the summertime ozone season. The decision has sparked controversy, with environmental groups expressing concern about the potential impact on air quality and public health.
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