Two House members are introducing legislation that would block the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed rule that would set caps on carbon emissions from existing power plants.
Congressmen Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) and David McKinley (R-WV) are the sponsors of the legislation.
The EPA announced a new proposal Monday that will require deep cuts in carbon emissions from existing power plants. The new rules would require states to develop and implement plans to cut power plant emissions of heat-trapping carbon dioxide. It will give states different reduction targets but will seek a national average — from 2005 levels — of 25% by 2020 and 30% by 2030, say those familiar with the plan. The rule will not take effect for at least two more years and is expected to trigger legal challenges.
This legislation from the West Virginia Congressmen appears to be one of the first. The legislation would terminate this new rule for existing power plants, along with the proposed rule for future power plants. In addition, to prevent some sleight of hand maneuver by the EPA, the bill will aim to block the issuance of similar rules for at least the next 5 years without Congressional approval.
Rahall said in a statement, “There is a right way and a wrong way of doing things, and the Obama Administration has got it wrong once again. This new regulation threatens our economy and does so with an apparent disregard for the livelihoods of our coal miners and thousands of families throughout West Virginia.”
