House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) is calling for more information from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) after comments from undisclosed Biden Administration authors in documents obtained by the Committee raise concerns about the viability of proposed power plant emissions standards.

According to the documents, Biden Administration officials provided comments on an internal draft of the EPA's new proposed power plant emissions standards, casting doubt on whether the EPA's proposed rule is achievable and cost-effective. Chairman Comer has written a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan, requesting versions of the documents that identify the authors of these comments.

In the letter, Chairman Comer points out that while the Clean Air Act empowers the EPA to develop new emissions standards, it also requires the agency to consider whether these standards are achievable at a reasonable cost. Additionally, the EPA must determine if the technology required for compliance, known as the best system of emission reduction (BSER), is adequately demonstrated.

Given the significance of the comments and their potential impact on fossil fuel-fired power plants, which account for 60 percent of U.S. electricity generation, Chairman Comer emphasizes the importance of transparency: "it is imperative that the Committee and the American public are made aware of the Administration's apparent doubt concerning the legality of its own rulemaking."

This request for information comes after the Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs held a hearing in June 2023 titled "Cleaning the Air: Examining the Environmental Protection Agency's Proposed Emissions Standards." The purpose of the hearing was to shed light on the EPA's proposed emissions standards, which are expected to bring about a significant transformation in major sectors of the economy.

During the hearing, lawmakers cautioned the EPA against operating outside its rulemaking authority. Chairman Comer highlights that the production from October 20, 2023, alone contains 606 comments that identify extensive problems with the proposed rule. He further emphasizes that the correspondence between various parties within the Administration suggests that there are concerns about the legality of the rule, yet the EPA has chosen to proceed with it regardless.

The Committee's request for the identification of the authors of the comments aims to ensure accountability and transparency in the EPA's rulemaking process. Chairman Comer's letter to EPA Administrator Regan can be accessed for further details.

This development underscores the need for a thorough examination of the EPA's proposed power plant emissions standards and their implications for the economy and the environment. As the Committee seeks to fulfill its oversight responsibilities, it remains crucial for the public to be aware of any doubts or concerns expressed by the Administration regarding the legality and feasibility of these regulations.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://oversight.house.gov/release/comer-requests-docs-from-biden-admin-officials-which-cast-doubt-on-viability-of-sweeping-power-plant-regulations%EF%BF%BC/