Congress and electric industry restructuring: Environmental imperatives

Journal Article · Thu Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1999 · Electricity Journal

OSTI ID:20006044

Cavanagh, R

While inconsistent power-plant emissions standards and regulatory uncertainties could lead to increased pollution, that is not a foregone conclusion if Congress steps in to unleash countervailing forces. At least four strategies have emerged there for integrating environmental, equity, and economic objectives. Some in the evolving debate over Congressional action ask why a restructuring bill must take on potentially contentious environmental concerns. Is not tackling the rules of competition and reliability hard enough without having to worry about environment at the same time? But in literally no other industry do these issues intertwine so thoroughly, and no other industry has so much to gain by persuading Congress to launch a comprehensive and integrated response. As such legislation meanders inexorably toward the President's desk, the economic case for strong environmental provisions will help ensure that the entire package survives and succeeds.

• Research Organization: Natural Resources Defense Council, San Francisco, CA (US)
• OSTI ID: 20006044
• Journal Information: Electricity Journal, Journal Name: Electricity Journal Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 12; ISSN ELEJE4; ISSN 1040-6190
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
DEREGULATION
ELECTRIC POWER INDUSTRY
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT