Chuck
01-25-2007, 03:46 PM
On Feb 1, power plants can't buy out-of-state energy from high-pollution sources (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16812719/)
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Coal_Plant.jpgwww.msnbc.com - Jan. 25, 2007
SAN FRANCISCO - California regulators approved rules Thursday banning power companies from buying electricity from high-polluting sources, including most out-of-state coal-burning plants.
The rules — aimed at reducing emissions of heat-trapping gases linked to global warming — could have a far-reaching effect on the energy market across the West.
While there are almost no coal-fired plants in California, the nation’s most populous state, about 20 percent of the state’s electricity comes from coal plants in other Western states.
The Public Utilities Commission voted 4-0 to prohibit utilities and other energy providers from entering into long-term contracts with sources that emit more carbon dioxide than a modern natural gas plant.
The new standard is aimed at encouraging investment in cleaner energy sources such as wind and solar, while discouraging the use of coal and other high-polluting fuels.
Coal is cheap and plentiful but releases high levels of carbon dioxide, a gas blamed for trapping heat in the Earth’s atmosphere and raising temperatures worldwide.
The rule is expected to take effect Feb. 1.
A landmark global warming bill Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law last year required the commission to adopt emissions standards for utilities.
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Coal_Plant.jpgwww.msnbc.com - Jan. 25, 2007
SAN FRANCISCO - California regulators approved rules Thursday banning power companies from buying electricity from high-polluting sources, including most out-of-state coal-burning plants.
The rules — aimed at reducing emissions of heat-trapping gases linked to global warming — could have a far-reaching effect on the energy market across the West.
While there are almost no coal-fired plants in California, the nation’s most populous state, about 20 percent of the state’s electricity comes from coal plants in other Western states.
The Public Utilities Commission voted 4-0 to prohibit utilities and other energy providers from entering into long-term contracts with sources that emit more carbon dioxide than a modern natural gas plant.
The new standard is aimed at encouraging investment in cleaner energy sources such as wind and solar, while discouraging the use of coal and other high-polluting fuels.
Coal is cheap and plentiful but releases high levels of carbon dioxide, a gas blamed for trapping heat in the Earth’s atmosphere and raising temperatures worldwide.
The rule is expected to take effect Feb. 1.
A landmark global warming bill Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law last year required the commission to adopt emissions standards for utilities.