WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) will introduce a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act to stop the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from moving forward with its proposed Clean Power Plan regulations for existing power sources next week.
Today’s announcement follows publication of the Clean Power Plan in the Federal Register. Under the Congressional Review Act, Congress can overturn actions by a federal agency, like EPA, after a rule is formally published and submitted to Congress. If the resolution is enacted into law, it would nullify the Clean Power Plan, including any portions of the regulations that have already gone into effect.
"It is my intent to pursue all available avenues for fighting back against the administration’s devastating assault on West Virginia’s energy industry. Too many Americans, jobs, families and communities have been negatively impacted by this administration’s overreaching regulations, and more pain will be felt if the Clean Power Plan is ever implemented," said Senator Capito. "Congress deserves to have an opportunity to vote on whether the administration’s far-reaching energy regulations should go into effect, and I look forward to working with Leader McConnell and others to make that happen."
“North Dakota needs flexible, feasible rules if we’re going to find a realistic path forward to reduce emissions. And, as I have long said, those rules need to acknowledge the reality that coal provides almost a third of our country’s electricity,” said Senator Heitkamp. “The EPA regulations on existing power plants don’t fit the bill. In fact, the final rule requires emissions reductions four times higher for North Dakota than were required by the proposed rule, even after my state’s utilities spent considerable time and resources working in good faith with the EPA on a viable goal. This resolution enables many senators to express their frustration legislatively, and is just one avenue – I’ll keep doing everything I can to find workable solutions for North Dakota utilities and consumers through any and all available options. Last month, I got EPA to commit to sending technical staff to North Dakota to address our challenges on the ground. North Dakota families and small businesses should know they can get the affordable, reliable electricity they need.”
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) announced that he will introduce a related resolution of disapproval today regarding the proposed Clean Power Plan regulations for new power sources.
###