Reliability Council: Environmental Standards Won't Threaten Electric Reliability this Summer

The opponents of clean-air controls often cite the threat of brownouts and blackouts when attacking new pollution limits on power plants. 

But now the nonprofit which aims to ensure electric reliability across America is out with a new report.  And the verdict: power plant retirements and cleanups to meet future environmental rules won't cause reliability concerns this summer.

From Russia with Love: Dirty Air along the U.S. Coast!?

While the political world has been abuzz about the U.S. official embarrassment about the alleged spy saga in Russia yhoo.it/16hbSmX , there is potential longer-term trouble for breathers in the U.S. because of a less-publicized Russian action.

At the request of Russia, the International Maritime Organization has voted to delay for five full years emission control requirements for big new ships near coastlines, including those of the United States. The requirements were due to take effect in 2016 as explained in this release: bit.ly/1053RNu

This is a terrible turn of events and could delay efforts to bring cleaner ships to U.S. ports by 2016. The U.S. government appears to have been blindsided by this Russian move. It needs to step up its game to protect breathers in the U.S.

Refiners: API Exaggerates Cost of Meeting EPA Proposed Clean-Gasoline Standards

A growing number of refining companies now say the American Petroleum Institute is exaggerating the costs of meeting EPA's proposed Tier 3 low-sulfur gasoline standards.

Keep reading for some examples: