EPA emissions regulations could change the way Idaho gets its power

The Environmental Protection Agency is causing a stir over it’s proposed carbon emission caps. The agency wants to reduce the carbon emissions released in America by 30% by the year 2035 and conservatives, especially in coal producing states, aren’t happy.

Several states are up in arms and taking legal action, in the courtrooms or the legislator, over the issue. Just recently Kentucky, Virginia, and Pennsylvania all proposed laws that would drastically reduce the power of the EPA in their states. Utah currently has a law going through its legislator with similar goals. Idaho hasn’t introduced any legislation of the type yet, but the state is watching the situation closely.

A spokesman for the governor’s office says the state already sent a letter to the EPA saying they don’t feel the EPA has the constitutional right to impose such strict regulations.

Rocky Mountain Power said they’re also monitoring the situation, and hope that federal and local governments will work with utilities to provide the most flexibility possible.

“We think a lot can be done through cooperation,” said Paul Murphy of Rocky Mountain Power. “So we’re hoping that reasonable minds can come together to try to keep electricity costs down and try to reduce carbon emissions going into the air.”

Rocky mountain power says they won’t have to adjust their plans too much yet, as they have no future plans for a coal fired power plant. They did say that if the EPA isn’t flexible, it could make it tougher for the power company to follow the potential guidelines without making expensive drastic changes.

The EPA’s final plan is still in the works and state governments expect a final revised plan by late August.