In a Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll of 1,000 adults conducted from June 11-15, two-thirds of the respondents said they supported EPA emissions limits on coal-fired power plants compared to 29 percent that opposed the limits.
The poll results appear to be very favorable toward EPA emissions limits for coal-fired plants, with 37 percent strongly supporting emissions limits compared to 19 percent that strongly oppose the limits. Another 30 percent said they somewhat support the limits compared to 10 percent who are somewhat opposed. If the survey is reflective of the broader population base then there is considerable support in the U.S. for EPA coal emissions limits.
However, it is difficult to predict what these poll results mean for future emissions limits policies and regulations. Current policies and regulations reflect stricter limits phased in over a long time frame — by 2030. Meanwhile, other market factors, such as domestic natural gas, are displacing coal.
Domestic electricity generated by coal fell almost 25% between 2007 and 2012. During the same time frame, cheaper natural gas saw an increase of almost 33% in electricity generated.
The most severe decline in domestic coal production has been in the Appalachian sector. There is some evidence that, for now, the drop in production may be largely limited to this sector and that the decline has leveled off. It is not clear whether there is a bigger trend of reduced coal production and transport outside of the Appalachian region.
For the barge sector, hopper barges will need to chase different markets and cargoes. No one knows if coal consumption for domestic electricity will continue to decline and by how much. However, the drop in coal consumption that has already occurred is likely permanent.
The recent Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll suggests that there is widespread public support for EPA coal emission limits and zealous bureaucrats may interpret this as a mandate for further emissions reductions.
