Griffin: The President's Carbon Emissions Plan Will Cost "Hundreds of Thousands of American Jobs'
Press Release
Congressman Tim Griffin (AR-02) issued the following statement regarding the President's new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule on carbon dioxide emissions:
"The President's plan to eliminate coal as an energy source, though completely irresponsible, is not surprising. This President has vowed to circumvent the role of Congress and impose cap-and-trade through executive action. This proposal has little or no benefit and will cost hundreds of thousands of American jobs and billions of dollars. The President's plan is a broadside attack on hardworking families by increasing their costs every time they turn on the lights, cool their home, and cook dinner for their family. The President's "war on coal' hurts Arkansans, as we rely on coal for nearly half of our electric power. Instead of a "war' on any one energy source, we must focus on an affordable, all-American energy policy that promotes job growth at home and makes us less dependent on foreign oil."
In June 2013, the President's own adviser stated, "a war on coal is exactly what's needed."
In 2008, then-candidate Obama promised, "Under my plan of a cap and trade system, electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket."
The Chamber of Commerce's Institute for 21st Century Energy estimated EPA's proposed carbon regulations would cost the economy 224,000 jobs and $289 billion in higher electricity costs through 2030. With global carbon emissions expected to rise by 31% between 2011 and 2030, the Energy Institute's analysis found that EPA regulations would reduce this overall emissions level by just 1.8 percentage points.
Rep. Griffin is an original cosponsor of the Electricity Security and Affordability Act (H.R. 3826), which prevents these rules from taking effect unless the House and Senate approve them by law. The House passed H.R. 3826 on March 6, 2014. Senate Democrats have thus far blocked the measure from coming to the Senate floor for a vote.
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