On April 25, 2024, the EPA released its long-anticipated final rule targeting all coal plants and new natural gas plants in the United States—including Ohio’s coal-fired Cardinal Plant in Brilliant, Ohio. The Ohio plant is the backbone of reliable, affordable electricity generation for Ohio’s 1,000,000+ electric cooperative members.

The new EPA rule demands fossil fuel-fired plants be 90% carbon emission-free by 2032 and points to carbon capture technology as a means to achieve it. Generating facilities unable to meet the demands would be forced to close.

“EPA has again proposed an unrealistic and unachievable set of regulations on the production of electricity. EPA mandates the use of unproven technologies and sets unrealistic compliance limits on power plants. They have ignored warnings that these rules will increase cost and threaten the reliability of our national electric system at a time when we are experiencing growing demand and already increasing costs,” said OEC President and CEO, Pat O’Loughlin. “Unfortunately, EPA rules will harm electricity consumers and our economy while promising dubious environmental benefit.”

Pat O’Loughlin, along with other leaders of power generation plants across the country, have testified on Capitol Hill to the public health-safety risks and negative economic impacts this EPA rule would impose on electric cooperatives members—and all electricity consumers.

Not only does the new rule put reliable, affordable power, and the integrity of the electric grid at risk, it all but ensures rolling blackouts will occur during cold winters, when electricity demand for heat to stay warm, exceeds available supply.

Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives has spent over $1 billion at Cardinal Plant since 2012 to reduce carbon emissions at the member-owned plant and has been recognized as one of the cleanest operating coal plants in the world.

Cardinal Plant supplies more than 70% of Ohio co-op’s electricity generation, of which 1,000,000+ people in 77 of Ohio’s 88 counties rely on every day to power their homes and businesses. Cardinal Plant employs over 300 people.

We need your help! Write a letter to the White House and Congress that shutting down reliable power is a mistake. Click here for the letter.