Recently proposed federal carbon emission regulations have a backer in Gov. Jack Markell.
Markell (D-Delaware) testified at a public hearing in favor of the guidelines from the Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, D.C. Tuesday. Released in June, the EPA plan seeks to cut power plant carbon emissions by 30 percent by 2030, mostly leaving it up to the states how to achieve that goal.
In his testimony, he said he knows what kind of impact the proposal can have based on what's happened in Delaware. He noted nine of the First State’s ten coal powered plants have been converted to natural gas and the last one still operating installed hundreds of millions of dollars in emissions control equipment. He told the EPA those changes along with increased use of solar energy, strengthening of building codes, investing in efficiency upgrades and participation in The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative helped Delaware decrease emissions by a greater percentage than any other state over the past five years.
In an interview with Delaware Public Media following his testimony, Markell said he hopes proposed federal carbon emission rules will cut down on out-of-state pollution wafting into Delaware.
Out-of-state emissions have been a problem for the First State. DNREC officials estimate 90 percent of Delaware’s air pollution comes from outside its borders, something Markell says needs to be stemmed.
“With all the progress we’ve made, there are still days where we’re not in attainment with our goals and that’s really because of so much [air pollution] that comes in from out of state,” said Markell following his testimony.
Markell added he envisions Delaware expanding its renewable energy footprint in the coming years. But, he didn’t say it would immediately result in the resurgence of planned offshore wind energy farms.
“I think the real question here is whether or not the folks that do these offshore can actually make any money and until they can, unless they can, I don’t think we’re going to see a big increase in that in the United States,” said Markell.
Several Republican governors have expressed opposition to the EPA proposal, especially those in coal producing regions.
States will have until 2016 to submit their plans.
Photo courtesy: Gov. Markell's office