Ameren speaks out against EPA's carbon rule

St. Louis-based utility holding company Ameren Corp. has formally declared its opposition to the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2030, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

At an EPA-hosted meeting in Denver last week, Ameren representatives criticized a rule designed to reduce emissions – there are interim reduction goals that would take effect by 2020 – saying they need more time. They said they have a workable plan that could meet EPA goals by 2035 and save $4 billion compared to meeting the standards by 2030.

Ameren’s vice president of environmental affairs said if the company shortens its plan’s time frame by five years, it would impact financing strategies and could require Ameren to retire power plants earlier than expected.

Read more from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.