NRMCA Opposes EPA Carbon Emissions Rule

Last week, NRMCA submitted comments in opposition to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed rule aimed at limiting carbon dioxide emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired electricity power plants within the U.S. NRMCA’s comments mainly focused on the high economic costs associated with the rule and the rule’s lack of consideration for small businesses, such as ready mixed concrete producers. Specifically, the comments stated, "NRMCA projects significant downstream costs being associated with the proposal for electricity customers. When taking into consideration the energy cost increases stemming from the proposal, the cost of purchasing and mixing key ingredients for ready mixed concrete will be inevitably higher and will result in staggering and unnecessary overall price increases. Based on the reality of such a scenario, the ready mixed concrete industry estimates extraordinary overall cost increases for electricity consumers and goods and services customers. For the ready mixed concrete industry alone, this would be devastating and equally burdensome for customers of the industry, regardless of whether they are residential, commercial or government customers." 

NRMCA’s comments concluded with a couple rhetorical questions, "If EPA does not know how the rule will truly impact electric utility companies or their customers, or others in the downstream field, how can EPA truly know what, if any, benefits the rule holds, and if that relates to a reasonable justification for the rule’s finalization? The clear language in EPA’s proposal stating doubts about the rule’s impact on electric utility companies and their customers, contrary third party analysis, EPA’s reliance on "illustrative estimates," and the lack of consideration for small entities begs the question of how and why EPA can in good faith and conscience proceed with finalizing such a proposal without all the requisite and proper information?"

Comments on the proposal were due on December 1. EPA has suggested it plans to issue a final rule in mid-2015. To view the proposal please click here.