In the wake of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ‘s disastrous Clean Power Plan 2.0, two Members of Congress are taking the lead to reverse the regulations and protect U.S. energy reliability by introducing Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.) and Rep. Troy Balderson (R-Ohio) are leading these efforts in both chambers.
Earlier this month, the EPA issued unrealistic regulations on greenhouse gas emissions from the nation’s existing coal- and natural gas-fired power plants. The rule’s strict requirements will drive more plants that provide reliable, affordable baseload energy into early retirement.
As Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Sen. Capito is a champion for American energy generation, which is among the cleanest in the world. In reaction to the Biden Administration’s final power plant rule, she said, “With the latest iteration of the illegal Clean Power Plan 2.0 announced today, President Biden has inexplicably doubled down on his plans to shut down the backbone of America’s electric grid through unachievable regulatory mandates. Electricity demand is set to skyrocket thanks in part to the EPA’s own electric vehicles mandate, and unfortunately, Americans are already paying higher utility bills under President Biden.”
In a similar statement, Rep. Balderson said, “The EPA’s latest rule is nothing short of catastrophic for our electric grid and disastrous for our energy security. Complying with these rules will be prohibitively expensive and require the implementation of technology that has never been deployed at commercial scale.”
CRES supports the work of these Members in preserving American-made energy, which is not only cleaner but more reliable than foreign sources. In an endorsement of these resolutions, CRES President Heather Reams said, “America needs more energy generation, not less. The Biden Administration’s latest iteration of the Clean Power Plan threatens U.S. energy reliability—endangering our ability to keep the lights on and threatening our status as a leader in global emissions reduction. Thank you, Sen. Capito and Rep. Balderson, for leading the effort to reverse these misguided regulations. CRES looks forward to continuing our work with Republicans to promote clean, affordable and reliable American-made energy.”
CRES applauds the efforts of these Members as they help ensure the United States can provide clean, affordable and reliable energy that will keep the lights on. To read more about how Biden’s Clean Power Plan 2.0 threatens U.S. energy reliability and innovation, read CRES President Heather Ream’s op-ed HERE.