The Subcommittee on Energy and Power, chaired by Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY), has scheduled a hearing for Tuesday, September 9, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. in room 2123 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The hearing is entitled, “State Perspectives: Questions Concerning EPA’s Proposed Clean Power Plan."
The subcommittee will continue its oversight of EPA’s proposed Clean Power Plan next week with a hearing featuring testimony from state regulators. In its proposal, EPA asserts unprecedented new regulatory authority over the way in which electricity is generated, transmitted, and consumed in states across the country. Under the Clean Power Plan, states would be required to submit individual or regional energy plans to EPA for approval in order to meet mandatory carbon dioxide emissions targets set by the agency for a state’s power sector. Next week’s hearing will allow state officials to provide their perspective on the regulation as proposed, including implementation challenges.
“Our oversight of EPA’s Clean Power Plan thus far has left us with more questions than answers. Neither EPA nor FERC was able to adequately explain how this sweeping takeover of our electricity sector will work or what the consequences will be for consumers and our economy," said Chairman Whitfield. “The burden of implementing this plan will fall to the states, which are being asked to completely redesign their electricity systems. States will no longer be able to choose what the best electricity mix is to meet their own needs, and all energy-planning decisions will be subject to a federal veto. And it is American families and their jobs that will suffer. We look forward to hearing the states’ perspectives on EPA’s plan and how it will affect their ability to provide affordable and reliable electricity to consumers and businesses."
The subcommittee began its oversight of EPA’s Clean Power Plan in June with a hearing featuring testimony from EPA’s Acting Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation Janet McCabe. In July, the subcommittee heard FERC Commissioners’ perspectives on EPA’s plan.as they are posted.
