Energy and Commerce Leaders Pledge Close Scrutiny of Revised Boiler and Cement MACT Rules

Statement

House Energy and Commerce Committee leaders today responded to the Environmental Protection Agency's issuance of reconsidered Boiler MACT and Cement MACT rules. In October 2011, the House passed H.R. 2250, the EPA Regulatory Relief Act, and H.R. 2681, the Cement Sector Regulatory Relief Act, directing EPA to re-propose this suite of rules to ensure the regulations are both economically and technically achievable.

Full committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Energy and Power Subcommittee Chairman Ed Whitfield (R-KY) issued the following statement in response to EPA's announcement:

"We welcome EPA's revisions to make these rules more workable and achievable. EPA itself acknowledged that its original rules were flawed and rightfully commenced a reconsideration process. After Congress and the public expressed concern over the hundreds of thousands of jobs at risk, EPA took action to significantly revise and reissue rules that are based on more complete data and analysis, which should have been taken into consideration in the first place, and include changes that will help facilities achieve compliance. However, we still have concerns over the high cost of the rules and their potential effects on jobs and the overall economy. Our committee will continue to exercise its oversight authority to ensure the rules are implemented in a way that minimizes the impacts on jobs, businesses, and consumers."

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