Letter to the Editor: EPA's role crucial to economic recovery
Posted online
Dear Editor,
All Missourians are eager for a full recovery from the economic woes of the recent past. A key factor supporting our recovery is reasonably priced electricity – a part of the final cost of everything.
According to the Energy Information Administration, Missouri ranks 17th in energy affordability. The foundation of that affordability is that 82 percent of Missouri’s power is produced at coal-generating stations. Missouri ranks 23rd in the nation in coal production and sixth in the nation in coal use.
This also translates into direct and indirect employment generated by coal mining in Missouri and accounts for 7,700 jobs and a combined payroll of $477 million. Perhaps most importantly, 2.2 million homes and 123,000 businesses depend on coal as their primary power source.
Plentiful, reliable and affordable electricity is a must for 21st century business. Electricity prices must be predictable during the long term and not subject to wild swings at any time.
Municipal utilities such as City Utilities of Springfield, and other utilities that depend upon electricity generated by coal, cannot be subject to the regulatory whims of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as they seek to close these generating stations across the country.
At the same time, clean air is essential, and significant sums of money have been spent to ensure that electricity generated by burning coal meets all EPA guidelines.
Natural gas also has an important role as a component of local and national energy strategies. The key to its continued use is long-term availability, adequate pipeline capacity and predictable prices. Renewable energy sources also have a future in meeting the needs of customers and, like natural gas, must be dependable and have predictable costs.
If we try to move to greater use of natural gas and renewables too quickly, the potential exists for prices of electricity to increase more quickly than the economy can absorb. Additionally, unlike coal, these sources have not yet proven themselves during the long term.
I urge our lawmakers in Washington, D.C., to encourage the EPA to consider all of these factors as they work to ensure that all clean air laws are properly followed, while not overburdening the American economy.
