EPA's new Clean Power Plan Rule has taken on a political life of its own, with coal states adamantly opposed, helping those who allege that the administration is waging a "war on coal." We also look at the basis of the rule in the 1970 Clean Air Act.
Opposition to EPA's Clean Power Plan Proposed Rule, released June 2 (posted here), has been swift, particularly by states that are most reliant on coal power plants for electricity, and those where coal mining is an important part of the economy. And they have found help with powerful Washington lobbying groups.
"In at least eight states, lawmakers have approved symbolic anti-EPA resolutions based on a model approved by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a group that has shaped controversial state measures on issues like Stand Your Ground gun laws and opposition to Obamacare exchanges," writes Andrew Restuccia, energy reporter for POLITICO Pro. In fact, coal states have among the least amount of cuts to make, as noted in the article posted here.
Kentucky has gone even further, enacting a law this spring that could block the state from complying with EPA’s rule. West Virginia and Kansas have new laws taking aim at the regulation one way or another, and states like Ohio, Louisiana and Missouri are considering similar measures.
Reuter's Valerie Volcovici explained in an earlier article what was behind ALEC's efforts.
"Although ALEC resolutions will not change state law, ALEC and its industry supporters are hoping these resolutions will discourage governors and impede EPA action," said Aliya Haq, who tracks such bills as special projects director with the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental group.
Also in Politico, Leon G. Billings, who served as staff director of the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Environmental Pollution from 1966 to 1978, explains the historical basis for the Clean Power Plan rule, rooted in Section 111 of the 1970 Clean Air Act. He disputes the assertion by some that President Obama used his executive action to authorize EPA to draft the rule.
EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy confirms the soundness of the new rule in response to a question from PBS Newshour host, Gwen Ifill on their June 2 show (see video below): "Do you worry that the Supreme Court or Congress could shut you down on this?"
Oh, the Supreme Court has spoken on this issue a number of times and told us it’s perfectly appropriate — in fact, our responsibility — to look at carbon as a potential pollutant in the Clean Air Act.
We did the endangerment finding. It’s done...So, we’re pretty safe in that regard.
This is an act that Congress passed, that gave to EPA, and gave us both the responsibility and the authority to address pollution that endangers public health. Carbon pollution is that.
FULL STORY: Some states already lashing at climate rule

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Map: Where Senate Republicans Want to Sell Your Public Lands
For public land advocates, the Senate Republicans’ proposal to sell millions of acres of public land in the West is “the biggest fight of their careers.”

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?
Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

Platform Pilsner: Vancouver Transit Agency Releases... a Beer?
TransLink will receive a portion of every sale of the four-pack.

Toronto Weighs Cheaper Transit, Parking Hikes for Major Events
Special event rates would take effect during large festivals, sports games and concerts to ‘discourage driving, manage congestion and free up space for transit.”

Berlin to Consider Car-Free Zone Larger Than Manhattan
The area bound by the 22-mile Ringbahn would still allow 12 uses of a private automobile per year per person, and several other exemptions.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)