In response to widespread requests from states, lawmakers, and industry stakeholders, US EPA announced on September 16, 2014 that it is extending the initial 120-day public comment period for its proposed Clean Power Plan by 45 days until December 1, 2014. As previously reported, the Clean Power Plan proposes guidelines for states to use in developing plans to significantly reduce carbon emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired power plants by 2030. If implemented, the Plan will substantially impact the US energy sector as well as all 50 state governments. The extension came after a bipartisan group of 53 US senators asked US EPA to extend the comment period by 60 days due to the “complexity and magnitude” of the 45-page proposed rule, which was accompanied by 600 pages of additional documentation. Janet McCabe, Acting Assistant Administrator for US EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation, told reporters on a press call regarding the announcement: “We want the best rule possible and we want to give people the best amount of time to get us all their ideas so we can consider them.” McCabe also stated that the Agency did not intend for the expanded comment period to affect its deadline to finalize the proposed rule by June 2, 2015.
