Indiana joins 21-state coalition supporting Trump energy plan

Indiana joined a 21-state coalition in support of President Donald Trump’s proposed replacement of the Clean Power Plan, an Obama-era effort to limit carbon emissions from coal-fired power plants.

Comments filed last week with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency by the coalition described the president’s Affordable Clean Energy rule as “far preferable to the patently unlawful regime” sought by the CPP. The Obama-era plan sought to reduce greenhouse gases by imposing caps on states’ carbon dioxide emissions, which received serious criticism from the Hoosier state and others that failed to halt the plan in 2015.

The 21-state coalition stated that ACE represents significant strides toward returning the EPA’s regulatory structure to its proper statutory and constitutional limits. It also contended that ACE would respect the important role of states in regulating energy and air quality and fully embraces Congress’ intent for cooperation between the state and federal governments.

“President Trump understands that states and the federal government can work together to secure environmental benefits for citizens without sacrificing people’s livelihoods,” Attorney General Curtis Hill said in a statement.

According to Hill, such cooperation restores each state’s authority to consider factors specific to the energy needs and facilities within their borders, including costs, practical achievability and the useful life of any particular power plant.

The coalition also argues that ACE would provide an individualized approach to rule-making with respect for the rule of law, including that the framework of any replacement must set achievable targets for individual plants.

However, while consistent with prior arguments made by many of the 21 states, the coalition expressed some concern about the new plan and offered prospective solutions for potential double regulation created by ACE in its Oct. 31 filing.