Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman has secured additional funding to legally challenge new environmental regulations imposed by the Biden administration, which target fossil fuel emissions and pollution.
Liam Niemeyer reports for the Kentucky Lantern.
In short:
- Coleman argues the EPA's regulations will adversely affect electricity prices and reliability in Kentucky, particularly concerning coal power.
- The state legislature, supporting Coleman, allocated $3 million from the budget reserve to fund these legal battles.
- Environmental advocates criticize the expenditure, pointing out the utility sector's ongoing transition away from coal due to economic and environmental pressures.
Key quote:
"We're going to be pushing back and fighting the EPA particularly in a way that is unprecedented."
— Russell Coleman, Attorney General of Kentucky
Why this matters:
The Commonwealth of Kentucky, historically reliant on coal as a cornerstone of its economy, finds itself at a crossroads where the health of its citizens and their environment are increasingly weighed against the livelihoods that the fossil fuel industry supports. The new regulations, which proponents argue are essential to combat climate change and protect public health, are seen by some in the coal industry as a threat to jobs and economic stability.
Find out more: EHN's Kristina Marusic recently reported on how protesters confronted coal and steel executives about their industries' contributions to poor health in western Pennsylvania.
