The EPA Is Causing Montana to Bleed Jobs

Today, PPL Montana announced that due to regulations implemented by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) it is being forced to permanently shut down the J.E. Corette power plant in Billings. PPL previously mothballed the plant, but due to the spike in costs to upgrade the facility as well as impending EPA regulations recommended by President Obama, keeping the 30-worker facility operating was not an option.

"The EPA is causing Montana to bleed jobs," said Congressman Ryan Zinke. "The J.E. Corette power plant and the 30 hard-working folks who rely on the plant for their paychecks are the latest casualties in the EPA's war on coal--that doesn't even take into account the negative impact current and proposed EPA regulations have on home heating prices."

Zinke continued: "Montana is home to a quarter of the nation's coal reserves and we have the potential to power the clean coal economy of the future. However, the EPA is more interested in waging a war on coal than researching ways to use it efficiently. The Obama Administration needs to get away from the regulate-first mentality and get back to allowing America to innovate. America is great when we innovate. Developing Montana's plentiful energy supply and protecting the beauty of our state are not mutually exclusive. I am committed to defending Montana against the EPA and crafting legislation that will both conserve our lands and build a strong economy that is powered by sustainable energy like clean coal."

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