Energy Policy:

Attorneys Sussman and Berlin discuss clean coal report urging GHG performance standard

As the House and Senate begin to consider options for an energy package, what is the best policy tool to spur the development and construction of new clean coal power plants? During today’s OnPoint, Bob Sussman, a partner at Latham & Watkins and a former deputy administrator at EPA, and Ken Berlin, head of the environmental practice at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, discuss their new report, "Global Warming and the Future of Coal: The Path to Carbon Capture and Storage." Sussman and Berlin suggest an emissions performance standard for coal plants as the most effective way to expand the use of carbon capture and storage technology. The authors say a cap-and-trade plan, although a positive step, would not be sufficient in bringing clean coal to the forefront. Sussman and Berlin also urge Congress to consider offering more incentives for the construction of new clean coal plants.