Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said Wednesday that he will be challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Power Plan, also called the Carbon Rule, which seeks to reduce carbon emissions from new and existing power plants.
The rule has come under fire from several states and industry groups who claim that it will cause undue harm to state economies and electricity reliability.
“The Obama administration’s Carbon Rule would result in higher electricity costs and less reliability for Texans, all while doing little to nothing to affect the environment,” Paxton said.
The plan, which was proposed in June 2014 and is set to be finalized over summer, establishes state-specific reduction goals and guidelines for state plans to achieve them. According to Texas’ proposed emissions reduction, the state would need to cut emissions by 38 percent, which represents 18 percent of the national reduction goal. These figures have led to objections in the state, as Texas only produces 11 percent of the nation’s electricity.
“Texas has proven we can improve air quality without damaging our economy or Texans’ pocketbooks,” Paxton said. “I will fight this ill-conceived effort that threatens the livelihood and quality of life of all Texans.”
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