Advanced Energy Economy voices support for EPA's Clean Power Plan

Malcolm Woolf, Advanced Energy Economy's (AEE) senior vice president for policy and government affairs, issued a statement on Monday on behalf of the national business organization in support of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) finalized Clean Power Plan.

"AEE and its member companies see the Clean Power Plan as an opportunity to modernize the electric power system for the 21st century, and today's release of the final rule begins to make that opportunity a reality,” Woolf said. “By making use of advanced energy technologies and services for compliance, states will be able to improve reliability, reduce costs and give customers more energy choices. These investments in a higher-performing electricity system will also grow businesses, create jobs and drive economic growth.”

While AEE’s position on the rule is positive overall, the group did point out several areas of concern. The group criticized the EPA’s two-year delay of the start of compliance and some points of the renewable-energy and energy-efficiency credit system.

“These are missed opportunities in the short run,” Woolf said. “But in the long run, the final Clean Power Plan will drive improvement in the electric power system. We, our member companies and our state partner organizations around the country stand ready to work with state regulators to make the most of this historic opportunity."