Bracewell’s Jeff Holmstead told Inside EPA that utilities’ financial decisions are already being affected by the Supreme Court’s refusal to stay implementation of EPA’s power plant greenhouse gas rule as it proceeds through litigation.
Holmstead noted that the rules are affecting investment decisions because of siting constraints associated with deploying carbon capture and storage (CCS) at baseload gas plants. He indicated that utilities aren’t yet ready to fully commit to CCS, even though they must incorporate the rules into long-term planning.
Even if Democratic nominee Kamala Harris wins the White House and EPA’s rule is upheld, Holmstead asserts that eventually [EPA] officials would be forced to ease the standards.
