Whitfield Advances Two Resolutions to Keep Electricity Affordable and Reliable

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Energy and Power Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Ed Whitfield (KY-01), today passed two resolutions, H.J. Res 71 and H.J. Res 72, disapproving of two final rules issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for new and existing power plants. The resolutions would provide for Congressional disapproval of each rule, and that the rules shall have no force or effect.

Chairman Whitfield stated, “These rules will produce not only higher electric rates, but also pose threats to electricity reliability and result in a substantial loss of jobs. 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 appropriate. More than half the states in the country have already filed legal challenge to the rule for existing plants and this extraordinary level of opposition is telling given that EPA claims they collaborated with the states. These resolutions of disapproval offer an opportunity to restore the rule of law and protect ratepayers across the country.”

Through their unprecedented regulations, EPA is seeking to fundamentally change the way electricity is generated, distributed, and consumed here in the United States. The economic costs far out-weigh the environmental benefits and as a result Chairman Whitfield introduced these two resolutions under the Congressional Review Act in an effort to protect grid reliability and ratepayers around the country from higher electricity prices. Additionally, these resolutions would protect states and their citizens from having to implement a highly complex, intrusive, and unworkable regulatory cap and trade scheme.

For a fact sheet on the resolutions, click here.

See the release here.