Study warns that Biden EPA regulations will lead to power outages for millions of Americans

A recent study has highlighted concerns about the potential for widespread blackouts as a result of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations proposed by the Biden administration. These regulations, aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions from power plants, are expected to disrupt the stability of the U.S. electric grid, as reported by the Center of the American Experiment.

Last August, four major electric grid operators cautioned that the new EPA regulations could jeopardize the reliability of the U.S. electric system. These operators pointed out the absence of a fundamental reliability analysis in the EPA’s proposal, considering it a significant oversight​.

For those saying there is no natural gas ban: NY, CA, WA, and MA all have natural gas bans in place and programs to phase out gas use (entirely) over the next decade. The Biden Admin is working through EPA to strengthen this mandate on a federal level, although it’s not easy. 1/4 pic.twitter.com/nhP9KWqjmx

— Chef Andrew Gruel (@ChefGruel) January 16, 2023

The study, focusing on the Midcontinent Independent Systems Operator (MISO) grid, disclosed that the proposed EPA rules could excessively depend on intermittent energy sources like wind and solar. It revealed that in times of low wind and solar generation, the grid might face severe deficits, resulting in widespread blackouts. The MISO grid serves 45 million people across multiple states, including Minnesota and Wisconsin​.

One of the most troubling scenarios envisioned in the study involves a blackout impacting 20% of the grid, potentially darkening entire states simultaneously during harsh winter conditions. This situation reflects the tragic Texas blackouts of 2021, where numerous fatalities occurred due to power and heating failures​. The study also critiqued the EPA’s models for inadequately incorporating natural gas peaking plants to substitute the retiring coal plants, pivotal for meeting the escalating electricity demands. Relying heavily on weather-dependent renewable energy sources without sufficient backup could result in frequent and prolonged outages​​.

BLACKOUTS: Biden’s EPA is paying power companies to take modern power generation plants offline to meet his CO2 targets regardless of whether or not there is enough capacity without them. Millions face the prospect of blackouts as a result.https://t.co/X2Oy822Em7

— @amuse (@amuse) June 13, 2024

Moreover, the economic consequences of the new regulations are significant. Adhering to the EPA’s emission reductions without triggering blackouts would entail substantial investments in fresh infrastructure, including more wind turbines, solar panels, and battery storage. The study approximates these expenses to reach $246 billion by 2055, leading to an average annual electricity bill increase of $683 for a typical family of four​.

The North American Electric Reliability Corp. (NERC) mirrored these worries in its Winter Reliability Assessment, cautioning that over half of the U.S. faces heightened blackout risks this winter due to increased demand and inadequate power generation capacity. NERC identified the Biden administration’s energy policies as a primary threat to grid reliability, citing premature closures of coal and gas-fired plants and delays in new infrastructure development​.

Although the EPA argues that the new regulations are vital for combating climate change and safeguarding public health, critics argue that the plan’s reliance on untested technologies and unrealistic timelines poses a significant hazard to the nation’s power grid. The NERC stressed that the current federal energy policies are reckless and jeopardize electricity reliability and affordability for all Americans.

This debate underscores the broader conflict between advancing environmental objectives and upholding energy reliability, carrying substantial implications for American consumers and the economy. As the administration pushes ahead with its green agenda, the key challenge will be to ensure uninterrupted power supply for millions of Americans.