Tennessee Co-ops Support Reversal of Clean Power Plan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NASHVILLE – Today the Trump administration issued an executive order instructing the Environmental Protection Agency to begin dismantling the Clean Power Plan. David Callis, executive vice president and general manager of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association issued this statement:
“Lifting the regulatory mandates required by the Clean Power Plan allows electric cooperatives to invest in projects that make sense for their members. Cooperatives believe that low rates and reliable power must be part of America’s clean energy future.”
“Innovation, not government regulation, provides the most direct path to reduced carbon emissions, and Tennessee’s electric cooperatives are proud of the accomplishments that have been made in our state.”
“Tennessee co-ops are leading the way in developing carbon-free energy. In recent years, co-ops have built more than 2.5 megawatts of solar generation. These community solar projects allow co-op members to purchase or subscribe to renewable generation without the significant capital investment required for rooftop installations.”
“We also applaud the Tennessee Valley Authority for their investments in clean generation. TVA is forecast to reduce its system carbon dioxide rate by 60 percent by 2020. The primary impacts of the Clean Power Plan would have been minimal for Tennessee, thanks in large part to TVA’s diverse power generation mix.”
In October of 2015, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and 39 generation and transmission cooperatives petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals to review and reject the Clean Power Plan. That effort laid the groundwork for a stay by the U.S. Supreme Court, giving the current administration time to review the rule and issue today’s executive order.
The Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association provides legislative and communication support for Tennessee’s 23 electric cooperatives and publishes The Tennessee Magazine, the state’s most widely circulated periodical. Visit tnelectric.org or tnmagazine.org to learn more.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION
Trent Scott | Vice President of Corporate Strategy | 615.515.5534 | [email protected]
