Utility MACT Rule

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently finalized an air quality regulation for coal-fueled power plants that could cause significant increases in the price of electricity for manufacturers and consumers. Utility MATS (also known as MACT), one of the most expensive power plant regulations ever promulgated by the agency, would require utilities to install pollution control technology in a very short compliance window.

Many public officials and experts have expressed widespread concerns that electric reliability could be threatened because the new rule would force the premature retirement of many coal-fired power plants. Coal is a critical part of the nation’s energy mix, and manufacturers are extremely concerned that Utility MATS will take this important energy source off the table.

Manufacturers need affordable energy to compete in a global economy. This rule drives up energy prices and hurts their ability to drive the nation’s economic recovery. As a result, the NAM strongly supports Senate efforts to repeal the Utility MATs rule.