Governor Mead Applauds EPA Clean Power Plan Repeal Decision
Wyoming Governor Matt Mead is speaking out in support of a decision by EPA administrator Scott Pruitt to begin the process of repealing the Clean Power Plan [CPP].
The CPP was first issued in 2014 and would have required states to make big reductions in carbon dioxide emissions, including a 44 percent reduction for Wyoming.
The CPP was the Obama administration's signature effort at reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Many scientists say the emissions are a primary factory in global climate change.
But the plan was also considered extremely hostile to the coal industry because coal-fired power plants are a primary cause of carbon dioxide emissions. Wyoming, the nation's leading coal-producing state, had long objected to the CPP.
Governor Mead said on Tuesday that the EPA overstepped its authority in creating the rule. Wyoming's congressional delegation has joined the governor in applauding the repeal of the power plan.
Pruit's decision is only the first step in repealing the CPP. Once the rule repealing the plan is published in the federal register, a 60 day comment period will begin to allow public input on the repeal.