UMWA Files Petition for Review of EPA Carbon Emission Standards for Coal-Fired Power Plants

The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) has taken a stand against the carbon emission standards for coal-fired power plants issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last month. The UMWA filed a Petition for Review in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on Monday, May 20, citing concerns about the devastating impact the new rule will have on coal jobs and coalfield communities.

UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts expressed deep concern over the potential loss of jobs and the lack of equivalent job opportunities for those affected by the new EPA rule. The union’s “Preserving Coal Country” initiative aims to protect as many coal jobs as possible, but the analysis of the new rule suggests that the majority of these jobs could be wiped out by 2032.

The UMWA believes that the new rule does not meet the standards set by the Supreme Court in the West Virginia vs EPA case of 2022. As a result, the union has decided to take legal action against the EPA to prevent the implementation of the rule.

West Virginia, along with 25 other states, is leading a lawsuit against the EPA’s new emissions standards, arguing that the EPA does not have the authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants under the Clean Air Act. The UMWA’s fight against the new rule highlights the ongoing debate over environmental regulations and their impact on the coal industry and coal-dependent communities.

In north central West Virginia, coal-fired power plants like the Harrison Power Station, American Bituminous/Perennial Power plant, Fort Martin Power Station, and Longview Power plant are facing potential challenges due to the new EPA rule. The UMWA’s petition for review underscores the importance of protecting coal jobs and the livelihoods of those in coalfield communities.