Click here to watch Senator Capito's Weekly Address to West Virginians.
Weekly Address to West Virginians
May 8, 2015
Hi – I’m Senator Capito, and I’d like to update you on this busy week in Washington.
On Tuesday, I chaired a hearing examining the legal implications of President Obama’s Clean Power Plan, which threatens to wipe out coal, eliminate jobs and drive up energy prices.
West Virginia’s Attorney General Patrick Morrisey spoke at the hearing about the legality of the so-called Clean Power Plan, and its ramifications in West Virginia and other coal producing states.
Attorney General Morrisey and a panel of legal experts confirmed that this administration is overreaching and discussed legal efforts to fight back.
At risk is the ability that states have always had to make decisions about their electricity generation.
West Virginia has chosen to rely on coal to provide affordable and reliable electricity for our consumers and businesses. As a result, we have some of the lowest electricity rates in the nation.
But under the Clean Power Plan, each state’s electricity plan would have to meet EPA’s criteria.
With the economy still far from fully recovered, the last thing job creators need is another expensive, far-reaching regulation. And the last thing our families and senior citizens need is to see their electric bills continue to go up.
Next week I will be introducing greenhouse gas legislation with my colleagues that will preserve the proper balance of state and federal authority, help ensure reliable and affordable electricity, and protect jobs and our economy.
I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to advance this bill and prevent the devastating impacts of continued EPA overreach.
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