Luetkemeyer Continues Effort to Rein in EPA's Regulatory Burdens, Support U.S. Jobs

Statement

Continuing his efforts to rein in growing government regulation, U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-9) voted in favor of legislation to provide relief from intrusive U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations that affect tens of thousands of our workers, small businesses and consumers.

The EPA Regulatory Relief Act of 2011 would alleviate the excessive regulatory burden placed on employers under the EPA's Boiler Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) rules. In all, the Boiler MACT regulation could put as many as 4,843 Missouri jobs at risk according to an IHS Global Insight study. This legislation would replace the current regulations with sensible, achievable rules that promote environmental protections without destroying jobs.

"Excessive regulations are job killers. Congress has an obligation and duty to find ways to lessen the regulatory burden facing Americans and that's what we hope to achieve with this legislation," Luetkemeyer said. "With regulatory costs at record levels and hard-working people suffering as a result of those regulations, relief is sorely needed and it is needed now."

The current rules are exceedingly onerous and require boiler owners to conduct emissions testing and comply with complex control standards. Hospitals, factories, universities and farms will be directly impacted by these rules.

"As an electricity supplier to rural electric cooperatives, we've already put in equipment to protect the air, rivers, lakes and land around our power plants all paid for by co-op members already burdened in this economy," said Duane Highley, director of power production for Associated Electric Cooperative. "Tightening regulations further increases costs to the consumer, and the environmental returns are diminishing."

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