Governor Tomblin Joins Fight Against EPA to Protect West Virginia Jobs

Press Release

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin today announced that West Virginia continues to fight against the EPA to protect energy jobs. If the federal Environmental Protection Agency adopts emission standards for coal and oil-fired electric utility stream generating units next month, West Virginia could have a net loss of 38,500 jobs in the coming years.

"West Virginians, and all Americans, need reliable and cost efficient energy in a healthy environment," Gov. Tomblin said. "I fully support West Virginia joining the amicus brief filed earlier this week, which seeks to extend the review timeframe by one year. This adjustment is clearly needed for the EPA's timeframe to review over 20,000 public comments submitted in response to its proposed rulemaking. This extended review period is clearly needed for the EPA to more appropriately respond to the needs of the states and realize the economic impact this burdensome regulation will have on the nation."

West Virginia joined 25 other states and the territory of Guam in filing the friend of the court brief with U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in the case, American Nurses Association, et al. v. Lisa P, Jackson, Administrator of The United States Environmental Protection Agency. The brief urges additional time for the EPA to consider and respond to more than 20,000 public comments regarding the electric utility stream generating units maximum achievable control technology (UMACT). If adopted in its current form next month, the regulation is expected to result in 1.44 million job losses nationwide.

The brief filed in U.S. District Court in Washington D.C. calls for the EPA to take additional time, up to one year, to November 16, 2012 to:

* Meaningfully analyze and address the public comments on the proposed rule;
* Fully and properly address the threat to a reliable electricity supply posed by the proposed rule;
* Fully and properly address the closely related issue of economic impact to business and individual rate payers;
* Comply with the requirements of Executive Order No. 13563 to take into account the costs of cumulative EPA regulations on electricity generation.

The friend of the court brief was filed Monday, October 10th.

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