WASHINGTON, DC - The House Energy and Commerce Committee today passed two resolutions, H.J. Res 71 and H.J. Res 72, to keep electricity affordable and reliable for ratepayers across the country. The resolutions, introduced by Energy and Power Subcommittee Chairman Ed Whitfield (R-KY), would provide for Congressional disapproval of two final rules issued by the EPA for new and existing fossil fuel-fired power plants, and that the rules shall have no force or effect.
On Aug. 3, 2015, EPA finalized two rules to regulate carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuel-fired power plants. These rules are projected to raise electricity rates and threaten grid reliability around the country. The resolutions that passed today will protect states and their citizens from higher electricity prices and from having to implement a highly complex, intrusive, and unworkable regulatory cap-and-trade scheme for the electricity sector. Yesterday, the Senate passed identical resolutions, introduced by Senate Majority Leader McConnell (R-KY) and Senator Capito (R-WV).
Chairman Whitfield stated, “Over the past 24 months in hearings and letters, this committee has developed an extensive record documenting the unprecedented reach and strong potential for harmful, costly impacts of EPA’s regulations. In my view, the discrepancy between what EPA is trying to do and what the Clean Air Act actually allows is so wide that these resolutions are necessary. These resolutions are necessary to protect ratepayers, the reliability of our electricity supplies, and our nation’s global competitiveness."
Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) added, “The committee has long worked to protect jobs and keep energy prices affordable from the administration’s expansive regulatory agenda. These resolutions are ultimately about protecting hard-working people from higher electricity prices, threats to grid reliability, and EPA’s economy wide energy tax. A Democratically controlled Congress wisely rejected cap-and-trade in 2010 and those rules are just as ill advised today as they were then."
