WASHINGTON, DC - The Subcommittee on Energy and Power today advanced H.R. 3826, the Electricity Security and Affordability Act, authored by subcommittee Chairman Ed Whitfield (R-KY) and Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV). The bipartisan, bicameral legislation provides a reasonable alternative to EPA’s proposed greenhouse gas standards for new power plants and the agency’s planned regulations for existing power plants. The subcommittee approved the measure by a vote of 18 to 11 and it now moves to the full committee for consideration.
EPA’s proposed greenhouse gas standards for new power plants would require the use of carbon capture and storage technologies that are not yet commercially available, effectively banning the construction of even the most state-of-the-art coal-fired plants. H.R. 3826 would protect an all-of-the-above energy strategy by directing EPA to adopt workable standards that require technologies that have been adequately demonstrated and are commercially feasible. It would also instruct Congress to set the effective date for EPA’s expected regulations for existing plants.
“Under EPA’s proposal, industry would not even be able to build the most state of the art clean coal fired power plant, because the technology required under the proposed regulation is not commercially feasible," said Whitfield. “This legislation allows for us to bring these proposed regulations to the forefront and have a public debate about the effect that they will have on jobs, energy costs, and economic growth. Ultimately, I believe that the consequences of these regulations will directly affect consumers, whether a family or a business, in the form of higher electricity costs. Americans deserve energy that is affordable and reliable. We need to keep a diverse energy portfolio, one that is truly all-of-the-above."
“I applaud both Chairman Whitfield and Senator Manchin for their bipartisan and bicameral bill. The Electricity Security and Affordability Act is a reasonable approach," said full committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI). “It would allow EPA to develop regulations to reduce emissions in a manner that is reasonable and achievable, and protects jobs and the economy."
