The president of Alabama’s utility-regulation commission asked citizens to pray for the failure of a proposed EPA crackdown on coal pollution during a press conference held in the office of the Alabama Coal Association, AL.com reports. (The Obama administration’s proposed reduction in carbon emissions—to 30 percent of 2005 rates by 2030—is expected to heavily impact coal-fired plants.) The remarks were made by Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh, president of Alabama’s Public Service Commission (PSC):
Cavanaugh called on the people of the state to ask for God’s intervention.
“I hope all the citizens of Alabama will be in prayer that the right thing will be done,” she said.
Another speaker at the event was PSC commisoner-elect Chip Beeker:
Beeker, a Republican who is running unopposed for a PSC seat, said coal was created in Alabama by God, and the federal government should not enact policy that runs counter to God’s plan.
“Who has the right to take what God’s given a state?” he said.
The public comment period on the proposed rule lasts until October 16.
