Palmer Protects Utility Customers from EPA Overreach

Press Release

Today, Congressman Gary Palmer, a member of the Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee on the Environment, supported H.R. 2042, the Ratepayer Protection Act. This legislation would delay implementation of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed rule under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act (CAA), aimed at regulating greenhouse gasses. He says the following:

"The EPA makes a habit out of claiming more authority than it rightfully has, particularly under this Administration. The EPA's proposed "Clean Power Plant" rule is an example of this. This rule would require power plants to reduce emissions by 30% in the next 15 years in order to achieve little to no environmental benefit. According to the NERA, an economic consulting and analysis firm, this proposal would cost between $41 and $73 billion per year. There is a strong possibility this rule will be struck down in court. In the meantime, it could do significant economic damage.

"This rule amounts to a massive tax increase on those Americans least able to pay it. The Ratepayer Protection Act would shield states from being forced or coerced into complying with this unwise and possibly illegal rule. I am glad to support this first step toward rolling back EPA's overregulation."

Congressman Palmer also participated today in a Science, Space and Technology Subcommittees on Environment and Energy hearing on the impact of the EPA' "Clean Power Plant" rule, where he discussed the impact of the rule.

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