Impact of the EPA’s Final Clean Power Plan on Pennsylvania’s Coal and Associated Industries

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PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE AND SENATE COAL CAUCUSES

JOINT PUBLIC HEARING

Impact of the EPA’s Final Clean Power Plan on Pennsylvania’s Coal & Associated Industries

November 17th, 2015

Majority Caucus Room


AGENDA

9:00-9:05

Call to Order / Opening Remarks

9:05-9:20

Impact of Compliance on Coal Demand

Emily Medine, Principal, Energy Ventures Analysis

9:20-9:30

Impact of Compliance on Coal-Fired Power Generation

GE / Homer City Generation LP

9:30-9:45

Impact of Compliance on the Coal Industry

John Pippy, Chief Executive Officer, Pennsylvania Coal Alliance – additional testimony

Cliff Forrest, President, Rosebud Mining

9:45-9:55

Impact of Compliance on Employees / Associated Industries

Walter Schroth, Owner, Schroth Industries

Kevin Moore, Employee, Alpha Natural Resources

9:55-10:00

Closing Remarks / Adjournment

MEDIA ADVISORY: House and Senate Coal Caucuses to Hold Hearing on EPA’s “Clean Power Plan”

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HARRISBURG – The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) “Clean Power Plan” will be discussed during a joint hearing of the House and Senate Coal Caucuses on Tuesday.

The hearing will be held Tuesday, November 17, in the Senate Majority Caucus Room, beginning at 9AM.

Those expected to offer testimony during the hearing include Emily Medine, Principal, Energy Ventures Analysis; GE, Homer City Generation, LP; John Pippy, CEO, PA Coal Alliance; Cliff Forrest, President, Rosebud Mining; Walter Schroth, Owner, Schroth Industries; and Kevin Moore, Employee, Alpha Natural Resources.

The House and Senate Coal Caucuses are co-chaired by Rep. Jeff Pyle (R-60), Rep. Ted Harhai (D-48), Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23) and Sen. John Wozniak (D-35).

NOTE:  Individuals outside the General Assembly can view the hearing LIVE at www.senatorgeneyaw.com.

 

For more information, contact:

Adam Pankake (Sen. Yaw)
(717) 787-3280

Pennsylvania House, Senate Coal Caucuses Convene at State Capitol

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HARRISBURG – A bipartisan group of state legislators met Tuesday at the Capitol Building to discuss the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed “Clean Power Plan” and its impact on Pennsylvania’s job climate, electric rates and overall economy.

The House and Senate Coal Caucus public hearing featured testimony from John Pippy, CEO of the Pennsylvania Coal Alliance; Eugene Trisko, Counsel to United Mine Workers of America; Gary Merritt, North Star Generation and Vince Brisini, Olympus Power.

The EPA’s proposed plan would seek to cut carbon pollution from nationwide coal-fired power plants by 30 percent in 2030, compared to 2005 levels.  The plan is being developed under the Clean Air Act.

Pennsylvania ranks fourth in the nation in coal production, according to the Pennsylvania Coal Alliance.  The industry also employs over 36,000 workers.

During the hearing Coal Alliance CEO John Pippy noted that the EPA has taken advantage of the current market conditions to deliver a devastating blow to the coal industry.  “While the price of natural gas is sure to fluctuate and the demand for electricity to rise as the economy strengthens, this regulation will be the cheap shot that cripples the industry from rebounding when the demand market returns,” Pippy said.

“Plainly stated, to achieve the carbon dioxide reduction goals from existing generators, the plan must significantly limit the use of coal and coal-refuse and then mandate other resources to provide the necessary electricity to preserve electric grid reliability,” said Vince Brisini of Olympus Power.  “This regulation appears to be drafted to speed the retirement of the coal-fired and coal refuse-fired electric generation industry in the United States and to provide mandated markets for other electricity resources.”

“It should make a lot of people here angry,” said state Senator Gene Yaw, co-chair of the Senate Coal Caucus.  We’re going against diversity in our energy field.  The proposed regulations by the EPA should concern everyone, especially electric rate payers.”

Last session, the General Assembly passed and Governor Tom Corbett signed Act 175 of 2014 that requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to develop a state-specific carbon reduction plan. The Act also requires the plan to be submitted and approved by both chambers of the state legislature prior to being formally submitted to the EPA.

The EPA announced it will finalize the proposed Clean Power Plan by mid-summer 2015.

For complete hearing testimony, visit SenatorGeneYaw.com.

CONTACT:

 

For more information, contact:

Adam Pankake, Executive Director

(717) 787-3280

HEARING NOTICE:  House and Senate Coal Caucuses to Hold Hearing on EPA’s Proposed “Clean Power Plan”

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HARRISBURG – The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed “Clean Power Plan” will be discussed during a joint hearing of the House and Senate Coal Caucuses on Tuesday.

The hearing will be held Tuesday, June 16, in the House Majority Caucus Room, beginning at 8:30AM.

Those expected to offer testimony during the hearing include John Pippy, CEO of the Pennsylvania Coal Alliance; Eugene Trisko, Counsel to United Mine Workers of America; Vince Brisini, Olympus Power and Gary Merritt, North Star Generation.

The House and Senate Coal Caucuses are co-chaired by Rep. Jeff Pyle (R-60), Rep. Ted Harhai (D-48), Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23) and Sen. John Wozniak (D-35).

NOTE:  Individuals outside the General Assembly can view the hearing LIVE at www.jeffpyle.net.

 

# # #

 

For more information, contact:

Adam Pankake (Sen. Yaw)

(717) 787-3280

Issues Directly Affecting Pennsylvania’s Anthracite Coal Industry

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Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee

June 11th, 2015
11:00 AM
Pottsville City Council Chambers
Pottsville, PA

 

 

Agenda

11:00 AM Opening Comments

11:05 AM Reading Anthracite Company

Brian Rich, President

11:20 AM Blaschak Coal Corporation

Greg Driscoll, President and CEO | Testimony

11:35AM Pennsylvania Anthracite Council

Duane Feagley, Executive Director  | Testimony

11:50 AM United Mine Workers of America

Ed Yankovich, International VP of District 2

12:05 PM Olympus Power, LLC

Vincent Brisini, Director of Environmental Affairs
Testimony 1 | Testimony 2 | Testimony 3 | Testimony 4

12: 20 PM Blackwood Inc.

Nolan Perin, President  | Testimony

12:35 PM Boilermakers Local 13

Martin Williams, Business Agent  | Testimony

12:50 PM Adjourn

 

Senate committee to hold hearing on anthracite coal industry in Pottsville next week

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POTTSVILLE – A Senate committee will hold a public hearing in Pottsville on June 11 to receive an update on current economic conditions as well as state and federal regulations affecting the anthracite coal industry and coal-refuse fired alternative energy plants, according to Senator David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks).

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, chaired by Senator Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming), will hold the public hearing, starting at 11 a.m. in the Council Chambers on the 2nd Floor of City Hall at 401 North Centre Street in Pottsville.

“This hearing will provide valuable insight to members of the committee to learn more about the importance of Pennsylvania’s anthracite coal and the hurdles and regulations the industry deals with every day,” Argall said.

“For over two hundred years, Pennsylvania anthracite coal has played an important part in our energy portfolio, supplying domestic and international markets and creating countless direct and indirect jobs in Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania,” said Senator Yaw. “Unfortunately, crippling environmental regulations and overreach from state and federal authorities are having significant economic consequences. The fact is, we don’t have to choose between the economy and the environment – we can continue to create family sustaining jobs, while limiting environmental impacts if we work cooperatively.  I look forward to joining Senator Argall for this important public hearing.”

Argall authored a resolution to call on the U.S. Congress to examine unfair regulations crippling domestically mined anthracite coal.

More information, including an agenda and testimony, will be available on Senator Gene Yaw’s website at www.SenatorGeneYaw.com.

The public is invited to attend.

Senators Yaw, Wozniak to Co-Chair State Senate Coal Caucus

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HARRISBURG – State Senators Gene Yaw (R-23) and John Wozniak (D-35) today were nominated by their colleagues to co-chair the Senate ‘Coal Caucus,’ a bipartisan, legislative committee emphasizing the continued importance of coal and coal-driven technologies in the state.

The caucus will serve as a forum through which legislators and industry representatives can collaborate on the needs of the coal industry, focus on the utilization and consumption of coal to significantly reduce consumer demands on foreign fuels and highlight new coal technologies within the industry.

“Last year, coal provided Pennsylvania with roughly 40 percent of its electricity needs,” Yaw said.  “Pennsylvania is a major player in coal production, creating a number of direct and indirect jobs, and will remain an important part of our energy portfolio for years to come.  Together, we can change the dynamic of coal as an energy resource.”

“The coal industry is a major economic player in Pennsylvania and will continue to play a large role in helping the citizens of Pennsylvania manage their energy needs,” Wozniak said.  “Working alongside Senator Yaw in leading the Senate Coal Caucus I believe we can have a significant impact on policy and help the industry and its workers meet future challenges.”

“On behalf of the over 300 companies represented by the Pennsylvania Coal Alliance and 36,000 employees supported by the coal industry, I want to thank Senators Yaw and Wozniak and the members of the coal caucus for their continued leadership in supporting all forms of Pennsylvania energy,” said John Pippy, CEO of the Pennsylvania Coal Alliance.  “The co-chairs have repeatedly demonstrated their understanding of the connection between Pennsylvania energy and Pennsylvania jobs.  The fact is, we don’t have to choose between the economy and the environment, we can keep our jobs and have a clean environment if everyone works together.”

In addition to Senators Yaw and Wozniak, other members in attendance during today’s meeting included:  Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati (R-25), Senator(s) Ryan Aument (R-36), Camera Bartolotta (R-46), John Eichelberger (R-30), John Gordner (R-27), Scott Hutchinson (R-21), Tom McGarrigle (R-26), Pat Stefano (R-32), Randy Vulakovich (R-38), Scott Wagner (R-28), and Kim Ward (R-39).

Senator Yaw currently serves as Chairman of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, as well as Chairman of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania Board of Directors.  Senator Wozniak serves as Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, as well as Vice-Chairman of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania Board of Directors.

More information is available on Senator Yaw’s website, www.SenatorGeneYaw.com, and on Senator Wozniak’s website, www.senator-wozniak.com.

CONTACT:

Adam Pankake – Sen. Yaw (717) 787-3280

Josh Myers – Sen. Wozniak (717) 787-5400