EPA Clean Air Rules
- In a joint op-ed in the Chicago Tribune, Exelon Chairman and CEO John W. Rowe and Environmental Law & Policy Center Executive Director Howard Learner agree that EPA's clean air rules will benefit public health, the environment and the economy.
Read the op-ed in the Chicago Tribune.
Clean Energy
The energy markets have already begun the transition to a clean energy future, and its benefits will be great. The combination of abundant, inexpensive natural gas; competitive markets; and EPA enforcement of the Clean Air Act will get us the rest of the way there.
Energy Policy: Do No Harm [PDF, 428 KB]In May 2011, Exelon Chairman and CEO John Rowe urged Congress to allow the nation's transition to a clean energy future in a speech at the American Enterprise Institute.
EPA Clean Air Rules. The Environmental Protection Agency is obligated under the Clean Air Act to establish standards for emissions of hazardous pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, mercury, arsenic and acid gases from electric power plants. Exelon believes EPA should be permitted to enforce its Cross-State Air Pollution and Toxics Rules, which the utility industry has expected for 10 years or more, and that doing so will not only improve public health, but also ease the transition to a clean energy future.
Exelon Clean Air Rules testimony to FERC [PDF, 600 KB]On Nov. 30, 2011, Exelon Vice President for Federal Regulatory Affairs Kathleen Barron testified to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that the electric utility industry can comply with the EPA’s clean air rules – the proposed Mercury and Air Toxics Rule and the final Cross-State Air Pollution Rule – while maintaining the reliability of the nation’s electricity grid.
EPA's Cross-State Air Pollution Rule. Formerly known as the Transport Rule, this rule requires 27 states to significantly improve air quality by reducing power plant emissions that contribute to ozone and/or fine particle pollution in other states.
- “Americans do not have to choose between clean air and affordable electricity. Every day that goes by, there is more and more evidence that the electric utility industry can comply with EPA’s new air pollution rules without steep rate increases and create badly needed jobs at the same time.”
Joseph Dominguez, Senior Vice President
Proposes national limits on the amount of mercury and other toxic air pollution released from power plant smokestacks.
- Exelon Toxics Rule Statement
In an Aug. 4, 2011, statement, Exelon said the Toxics Rule can be implemented on time and without threatening grid reliability.
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Competitive Markets
Competition is a fundamental principle for Exelon. We believe a sound energy policy must recognize the essential role of competitive electricity markets in meeting our energy and environmental challenges. Competition is the best way to foster needed innovation in new clean energy technologies and it is the only way to ensure that we ultimately adapt to these changes in the most efficient way possible. In other words, competition will discipline us as we make the massive investments needed to improve our energy infrastructure.
Benefits of Competition [36.8 KB PDF] Exelon believes competitive markets are essential to the nation’s transition to a clean energy economy and are tremendously effective in promoting energy efficiency.
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Nuclear Power
Exelon owns and operates the largest nuclear fleet in the nation, and the third-largest fleet in the world. Nuclear energy is a clean, safe, affordable way to meet future energy demands in the United States and around the world, and Exelon supports national policies that will encourage the extended and expanded operation of existing plants.
My Last Nuclear Speech [PDF, 106 KB]In an address to the U.S. nuclear industry, Exelon CEO John W. Rowe stresses the important role of nuclear power in the nation’s future energy supply, while recognizing the challenges of building new nuclear projects in the current economic climate.
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