WASHINGTON, DC - The Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, chaired by Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA), has scheduled a hearing next week to examine the effects of the Environmental Protection Agency’s regulatory actions on jobs and local communities particularly reliant upon the coal. The hearing on “EPA’s Regulatory Threat to Affordable, Reliable Energy: The Perspective of Coal Communities," will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013, at 2 p.m. in room 2123 of the Rayburn House Office Building. That same day, hundreds of workers and families from communities across America will rally at the U.S. Capitol to urge the administration to put the brakes on its destructive regulatory agenda, which threatens the use and development of America’s abundant coal resources.
As the source of nearly 40 percent of the nation’s electric generation, coal is a critical part of an “all-of-the-above" American energy strategy. But this critical power source is being threatened by EPA’s costly regulations. EPA’s actions have already contributed to the announced closure of more than 200 coal-fired power plants and the expected loss of tens of thousands of jobs. The Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations is continuing its investigation into the impact of EPA’s actions on jobs and the economy with a look at how these regulations are affecting local communities. Community leaders, workers and others will testify about their experience with EPA’s regulatory impact on local families, businesses, and governments.
“EPA’s actions are having a devastating impact on local communities that depend on coal for their jobs and affordable electricity. Hundreds of workers in Southwestern Pennsylvania and across the country have already lost their jobs as a result of this administration’s regulatory overreach. Fewer paychecks means lost revenue and less money available for schools and community services," said Murphy. “Left unchecked, EPA has the potential shut down America’s coal industry and push these communities further into poverty. Next week, we will have the opportunity to hear firsthand from members of these communities who are suffering from the consequences of EPA’s damaging regulations."
The Majority Memorandum, a witness list, and witness testimony will be available here as they are posted.
