Small Business Reacts to EPA Power Plant Rule
LANSING (August 3, 2015) – The EPA’s new power plant rule will drive up costs
for small business owners and drain their customers of discretionary income,
said the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) today.
“That’s a deadly combination
for the small business sector,” said NFIB Michigan State Director, Charles
Owens. “Operating expenses will increase as the cost of electricity
rises and customers will have less money to spend on Main Street. It’s a
recipe for fewer jobs and slower growth.”
The EPA today finalized its
so-called Clean Power Plan, which imposes on states harsh carbon limits for
electricity production that will force them to close down the coal-powered
generators that now provide the vast bulk of America’s power. It requires
the states to increase the percentage of power they generate from alternative
sources, like wind and solar, which are far weaker and more expensive.
Even the EPA estimates that the cost of electricity will increase
substantially.
“Energy is necessary to
provide every service and manufacture every product. Michigan heavily
relies on coal for its energy and will no doubt be disproportionally impacted
by higher electricity prices thanks to this rule.” Continued Owens, “These
costs will have to be passed on to consumers, leaving us all with higher prices
across the board.”
In addition to higher prices
the EPA rule could undermine the reliability of America’s electricity
grid.
“We’ll be more heavily
reliant on forms of energy that aren’t reliable,” said Owens. “The sun
doesn’t always shine and the wind doesn’t always blow. To the extent that
we’re dependent on those forms of energy, we’re creating our own supply
shortages.”
“Small businesses need
affordable, dependable electricity to serve their customers and this regulation
undermines both,” he continued.
