Alaska Gets Reprieve on EPA Carbon Emission Rules

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PHOENIX — The Environmental Protection Agency has given Alaska a pass on its new carbon emissions rules for power plants because of the state's unique energy infrastructure challenges.

President Obama and the EPA announced the new Clean Power Plan rule Monday. The new standard requires states to submit plans by Sept. 6, 2016, on how they will meet state-specific goals in reducing carbon emissions from power plants.

Because of Alaska's isolated energy infrastructure and limited grid system, the EPA decided not to require the state to submit a plan. The EPA also excluded Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Guam.

Alaska has 37 public power utilities, according to the American Public Power Association.

In a call with Alaska officials, the agency said it did not have the data necessary to determine how states not part of regional power grids could meet their goals under the rule. The EPA said it would work on developing standards for Alaska, Hawaii, and other islands under U.S. jurisdiction, but did not set a timetable.

"Alaska has over 200 small utilities across the state, and a very limited power grid," said Alaska Gov. Bill Walker.

"Requiring our state to abide by 'one-size-fits-all' standards could potentially increase our energy costs, which are already the highest in the nation," he said. "I am pleased that the EPA has recognized the unique circumstances Alaska is facing, and I look forward to working with the agency officials to come up with appropriate goals for the state in the near future."

Alaska's power grid is indeed different than those in the lower 48 states.

"Alaska does not have a vast infrastructure of transmission interties that span the horizons throughout the rest of the North American continent," according to the Alaska Power Association website. "Alaska also lacks an extensive interconnected road system to link our many cities, towns and villages. The absence of transmission lines to share cheap power among communities and a road system to transport fuel to remote areas has a profound impact on our members' efforts to bring affordable and reliable power to consumers."

The ability to provide cost-effective power to customers is key to the health of power utilities. Alaska still relies heavily on traditional sources of energy including fossil fuels and natural gas, but is beginning to make strides in renewable sources such as hydroelectric and wind power.

"Alaska can and should be a leader in affordable, clean energy development," Walker said. "However, this has to be on Alaska's terms given how unique our state is."

While Alaska is getting a pass on the initial carbon reduction rules, the EPA remains concerned about how Alaska is being negatively affected by those carbon emissions.

"In Alaska, temperatures have changed faster than anywhere else in the U.S. Annual temperatures increased by about three degrees Fahrenheit in the past 60 years," the EPA noted in its final rule.

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