Statements on the EPA’s Proposed Rule to Withdraw from the Obama Clean Power Plan (page 4)

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Western Caucus Members Applaud EPA Action to Repeal Obama Administration’s Job-Killing ‘Clean Power Plan’

Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Paul A. Gosar D.D.S. (AZ-04), House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (LA-01), Western Caucus Executive Vice-Chairman Scott Tipton (CO-03), Chairman Emeritus Steve Pearce (NM-02), House Science, Space and Technology Chairman Lamar Smith (TX-21), and Western Caucus members Adrian Smith (NE-02), Liz Cheney (WY-At Large), Greg Gianforte (MT-At Large), Brian Babin (TX-36), Markwayne Mullin (OK-02), Trent Franks (AZ-08), Mike Johnson (LA-04), Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Jody Hice (GA-10), Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), Kevin Cramer (ND-At Large), and Tom Emmer (MN-06) released the following statements after EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt provided notice of proposed rulemaking which will effectively cancel the Obama Administration’s ‘Clean Power Plan’:

“Not long after President Obama took office, he tried to pass legislation through Congress that would have given the EPA authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions through a cap-and-trade program. Despite 60 Democrats holding office in the Senate at the time, the Senate decisively rejected the cap-and-tax plans proposed by the president,” said Chairman Gosar. “Rather than pursuing a true all-of-the-above energy plan that lowered costs for consumers and put us on the path towards energy independence, the Obama Administration continued to churn out new regulations and distort others as the means to accomplish the president’s ideological agenda. The so-called ‘Clean Power Plan’ was no exception. It picked winners and losers at the expense of American job creators. I applaud Administrator Pruitt and the Trump Administration for acting to roll back this unconstitutional and fundamentally-flawed Obama mandate.”

Majority Whip Scalise stated, "Just like so many of the Obama administration's radical regulations, the Clean Power Plan rule was a Washington power grab that killed jobs and imposed higher costs on American families. I applaud the Trump administration's decision to reverse this misguided rule so hard-working families get some financial relief and American energy producers once again have the ability to grow and create more jobs, putting our nation on the path to energy dominance while providing affordable energy prices for all Americans.”

Congressman Tipton said, “I am a strong proponent of a responsible all-of-the-above domestic energy strategy that includes emerging technologies, renewables and traditional resources to produce affordable and reliable electricity for all Americans. The federal government should not be in the business of picking winners and losers, however, and that is exactly what the previous administration did with this overreaching rule. The administration’s roll back of this flawed rule will protect jobs in rural communities and Americans who are already struggling to make ends meet from a punitive spike in their energy bills.”

“New Mexicans deserve reliable and affordable energy without job-killing restrictions that cripple economic opportunity in our state and across the nation. By cutting government red tape and eliminating unnecessary regulations like the Clean Power Plan, we can gain momentum towards an ‘all the above’ energy plan that creates jobs and sustains low energy prices for all Americans. This action by the EPA today will return power back to the states where it belongs, so economies, like ours in New Mexico, can become stronger and more competitive. It is my hope that New Mexico can have the opportunity to become a greater leader in our domestic energy development and production,” said Congressman Pearce.

“Today's repeal of the so-called Clean Power Plan marks the next crucial step in a new era of transparency based on sound science,” said Congressman Lamar Smith. Through several hearings and oversight of the former administration's overregulation, the Science Committee revealed the faulty, one-sided calculations that the Obama administration employed to justify its Clean Power Plan. We have repeatedly found that the costs imposed on the American people vastly outweigh the rule’s marginal benefits. President Trump and Administrator Pruitt have reviewed the data and chosen to unburden our citizens rather than perpetuate a politically motivated rule that would result in minimal environmental benefits. Our nation can now move forward and develop smart, transparent policies that carry out President Trump’s America First energy strategy and relieve the American people of undue burdens.”

Congressman Adrian Smith stated, “President Obama’s ‘Clean Power Plan’ threatened to force hundreds of coal-fired power plants to shut their doors, driving up energy costs across America. Those hurt the most by these misguided, job-killing policies are typically the ones who can afford it least. I was pleased to see President Trump issue an executive order earlier this year requiring the EPA to re-evaluate these regulations, and by signing this proposed repeal, Administrator Pruitt is following through on his commitment to rein in the EPA’s red tape factory and empowering states to pursue responsible energy development.”

"EPA Administrator Pruitt's decision to repeal the Obama Administration's disastrous “clean power plan” is an important and necessary step towards reversing the harmful Obama-era policies that strangled our economy. Wyoming's communities and fossil fuel industry were hit the hardest by Obama's anti-coal agenda for the past eight years. For too long the clean power plan killed jobs and needlessly wasted hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars in an unsuccessful attempt to increase renewable energy and decrease fossil fuels," said Congresswoman Cheney.

Congressman Gianforte stated, “The previous administration’s top-down, Washington-centered approach out of the EPA imposed a heavy burden on hardworking Montana families. Its relentless federal overreach threatened our livelihood and our way of life. Today, Montanans welcome much needed regulatory relief with Administrator Pruitt’s announcement that the war on coal is over.”

“I applaud President Trump’s decision to restore common sense at the EPA and put America’s citizens and jobs first. This Obama-era policy would have taken money from the pockets of American workers, unnecessarily harmed seniors and those living on fixed incomes and put American workers at a competitive disadvantage – all for little to no benefit to the environment,” said Congressman Babin.

“After its review of the Obama Administration’s Clean Power Plan, the EPA finds that the rule is a flagrant abuse of power by the former administration, just like the Supreme Court did when it ruled a historic stay on the unlawful rule in 2016,” said Congressman Markwayne Mullin. “The Clean Power Plan threatens the reliability of our energy resources, forces a tremendous regulatory burden on their production, raises electric costs for hardworking Americans, and puts good paying jobs at risk. It’s great to see the EPA start to roll back the Obama Administration’s Clean Power Plan rule so we can provide dependable, affordable energy that American families can count on.”

“The Clean Power Plan made energy expensive, causing average Americans to pay more for less power. Why do government agencies feel the need to squeeze regular American consumers to push their scientifically unproven climate change agenda? Moreover, the Clean Power Plan has been challenged in the Supreme Court as being unconstitutional and unlawful. The Trump administration is right to correct the previous administration’s overreach,” stated Congressman Franks.

“The Obama administration's Clean Power Plan was an egregious overreach by the federal government that overburdened those in the energy sector and forced many out of jobs. Rather than hindering our businesses with excessive regulation, the Trump administration is unleashing the free market again and putting America first with the repeal of this ill-advised rule,” said Congressman Mike Johnson.

Congressman Biggs said, “I commend the Trump Administration’s announcement that it will end the Obama-era Clean Power Plan. American energy independence is critical for sustained economic success and should not be hindered by unelected bureaucrats.”

“Balancing environmental protection with economic growth is vital for future generations,” said Congressman Hice. “Unfortunately, President Obama’s top-down approach under the Clean Power Plan was deeply flawed and yet another blatant regulatory overreach by his administration. Instead of protecting the public interest, it picked winners and losers, jeopardized jobs, and curbed economic growth. I applaud President Trump and EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt for reversing course, which will ultimately create new jobs and spur the energy sector.”

Congressman LaMalfa said, “The Clean Power Plan has a nice sounding name, but in reality, it’s a prime example of burdensome and unnecessary regulation on America’s energy industry. The Obama Administration repeatedly overstepped its authority and ignored the longstanding limits to Executive power, and now we must right the ship. The Implementation of this rule has already been halted by a number of court decisions – including by the Supreme Court. It’s estimated that this rule would costs billions of dollars in compliance costs alone, not to mention the crippling effect on U.S. energy production and global competitiveness. This is the sort of job-killing power grab that the American people cannot and should not accept. I applaud Administrator Pruitt and the EPA for proposing to repeal this rule before it takes effect, and I look forward to a rulemaking process that is transparent and takes into account the needs and input of states before imposing heavy-handed regulations that leave American workers and energy production out in the cold.”

Congressman Cramer said, “President Trump and his Administration have come through for North Dakota, and frankly for energy consumers throughout our country. It has always been clear to North Dakotans that the EPA has overreached its legal authority by going outside the fence line of individual power plants and North Dakota is a good example of arbitrary and capricious emissions standards.”

“The Obama Administration’s Clean Power Plan - which was estimated to cost more than $30 billion dollars - was promulgated without Congressional approval, making it the perfect example of federal overreach. It has been proven time and time again that a one-size-fits-all policy does not work for our state and I am pleased the Trump Administration has taken this step. I am proud that Minnesota companies and elected officials have taken it upon themselves to work to reduce carbon emissions without the heavy hand of the federal government demanding so. I applaud the decision to roll back the overreaching Clean Power Plan, and look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress and the Trump Administration towards an all-of-the-above energy plan so that we can maintain a prosperous economy and healthy environment that generations to come can enjoy,” concluded Congressman Emmer.

Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI, 2nd)

"This Administration has taken its latest step backwards in the fight to preserve and protect our environment by repealing the Clean Power Plan, which required states to fulfill specific carbon emission goals based on their individual energy consumption. This plan was a monumental step forward towards combating climate change, and prioritized the health of our children, our planet, and our future over handouts to corporations and the fossil fuel industry. Thankfully, cities and states across the country, like the state of #Hawaii, have stepped up to protect our environment and are committed to address the climate change crisis head on. We must build on the progress of states like Hawai‘i and take bold action. My bill, the OFF Act, would transition our country to a clean energy economy by 2035, and help to increase our competitiveness, improve the health and well-being of our people, and protect the environment for future generations."

Morgan Griffith (R-VA, 9th)

“The Clean Power Plan was bad for the United States and Southwest Virginia. It would have killed jobs, cost too much, and exceeded the EPA’s legal authority. I had argued from the beginning that the rule improperly interpreted the EPA's authority under the Clean Air Act, and the Supreme Court had stayed the rule. I commend the Trump Administration for withdrawing this misguided rule.”

More House Statements on Clean Power Act

Continued from this page (click HERE)

Washington, D.C. - October 13, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt and the Trump Administration issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposing the repeal of the Clean Power Plan.

The Clean Power Plan was an Obama Administration policy which sought to reduce the United States’ contributions to climate change. It was proposed by EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy in June of 2014, and finalized in August of 2015.

The Clean Power Plan is the first and only federal limit on carbon pollution from existing power plants. Supporters of the plan claim that by cutting carbon pollution, it is one of the best available tools to combat climate change and to take steps towards reducing air pollution that harms the public’s health.

Below are statements by House Representatives concern in the recension of the clean power act rules by the EPA:

Don Beyer (D-VA, 8th)

“Climate change is one of the gravest threats facing the human race in the 21st century. Scientists have carefully and accurately described the causes of climate change, predicted its consequences, and offered solutions. The Clean Power Plan represents a big step in the direction of confronting the dangers of climate change, and it has the added benefit of driving the creation of our clean energy sector, with hundreds of thousands of jobs and a big boost for local economies across the country.

“Turning our back on this progress by ending the Clean Power Plan is dangerous, it will hurt our economy, and it will further damage our reputation around the world. American leadership is urgently needed now, and we cannot ignore or pretend our way out of this crisis. We must stand up, we must fight for future generations, and we must act on climate.”

Diane Black (R-TN, 6th)

"Administrator Pruitt's decision to repeal the Clean Power Plan is a victory for communities across the country, and for our own power plants here in Tennessee. The Obama administration's continual executive overreach at the state level is finally being corrected by an Administration committed to giving our local industries the support they need to thrive. By working alongside stakeholders, the Trump administration is putting jobs and those affected by these regulations first rather than a bureaucrat's idealized political agenda.”

Steve Cohen (D-TN, 9th)

“The Trump Administration’s move to repeal the Clean Power Plan is another representation of a backslide on U.S. and global climate goals. Despite all of its shortcomings, the Trump Administration ought to have little difficulty in grasping the severe economic repercussions of repealing a strategy meant to lessen the wide-ranging damage caused by unchecked carbon emissions and climate change. Instead, EPA Administrator Pruitt and President Trump have decided to burden taxpayers with the costs of climate change, increasingly frequent and severe instances of extreme weather, and air pollution.

“I support the Clean Power Plan and the Paris Climate Agreement. The Trump administration’s retreat from both plans of action will put America on a path toward more instances of extreme and destructive weather, toward more asthma attacks, more missed days of work and school, and more premature deaths caused by carbon pollution.”

Joe Courtney (D-CT, 2nd)

“The decision by Mr. Pruitt is not a pro-growth, pro-economic decision. It is simply responding, unfortunately, to political forces that drove this administration to power from the fossil fuel industry. The only saving grace of Mr. Pruitt's order is that he allows a large and long public comment period for the people of this country -- who do care about clean air and who do care about our environment -- to weigh in on this reckless decision that turns the clock back for public health and safety, and for our economy.”

Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota)

President Trump and his Administration have come through for North Dakota, and frankly for energy consumers throughout our country. It has always been clear to North Dakotans that the EPA has overreached its legal authority by going outside the fence line of individual power plants and North Dakota is a good example of arbitrary and capricious emissions standards.

Mike Bost (R-IL, 12th)

“The Obama Administration’s addiction to over-regulation threatened to wipe out hundreds of jobs in Southern Illinois and many thousands nationwide,” said Rep. Bost.  “The impact of such a serious hit to the coal industry led to unpredictable home energy prices for hardworking families already struggling to get ahead. I applaud the administration’s decision to secure the reliability and resiliency of America’s electrical grid.”

Statements on the EPA’s Proposed Rule to Withdraw from the Obama Clean Power Plan

Source: Republican National Committee (RNC)

Below are statements on on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt’s decision to sign a proposed rule withdrawing from the Obama Clean Power Plan:

Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel

"I applaud the EPA’s proposal to rescind the Obama Clean Power Plan," said Chairwoman McDaniel. "This plan was nothing but a power grab by the EPA to impose more regulations that would ultimately devastate America’s electricity industry, raise prices on consumers, and wreak havoc on our economy. This is a positive first step towards restoring the EPA to its’ traditional scope of authority while returning decision-making power back to the states."

U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) President and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu

“We are disappointed in the Administration’s decision to repeal the Clean Power Plan and would urge them to rethink their position. The Clean Power Plan would have set the first-ever federal limits on carbon pollution from power plants, which are the largest single source and are responsible for approximately 40 percent of the carbon pollution in the United States. The Clean Power Plan would have also encouraged the development of cleaner, safer energy, creating jobs and spurring economic growth.”

“We acknowledge the detrimental impact that climate change already has, and will continue to have on our communities and our planet. Mayors will continue to lead the way and we will work with the private sector to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions in order to remain economically competitive and energy independent.”

“Despite this setback and just like we did when the Administration pulled out of the Paris Climate Accord, the nation’s mayors will continue to stand for what’s right. We will redouble our efforts and broaden our partnerships with the business community to fill the leadership void as we work to effectively mitigate the impact of climate change and reduce the country’s greenhouse gas emissions.”

House Representative Nanette Barragan (D-CA, 44th)

Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-San Pedro) issued the following statement after Environmental Protection Agency head Scott Pruitt took steps today to repeal the Clean Power Plan:

"Scott Pruitt's decision to undo the Clean Power Plan is a step backward for public health and the environment.

By rolling back these regulations, the administration will ensure our air is more polluted and greenhouse gases continue to pile up in the atmosphere. America’s future needs to be clean, renewable energy and the jobs those new technologies are creating.

We count on the EPA to protect our air and water. Administrator Pruitt appears more interested in doing the bidding of the fossil fuel industry than in upholding the mission of the agency he swore to lead. Pruitt’s decision is regressive and will disproportionately hurt low-income and communities of color. Vulnerable communities, including those in my district, tend to breath the unhealthiest air and bear the brunt of the worst effects of climate change.

Simply put, Scott Pruitt's misguided actions threaten the health of American families.”

House Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA, 12th)

“The White House’s short-sighted, dangerous decision to dismantle the Clean Power Plan is a direct assault on the health of our nation’s children. Yet again, the Trump Administration is showing its disregard for the health and security of the American people, and is demonstrating its failure of leadership to combat the surging storms, devastating wildfires and other catastrophic impacts of the climate crisis.

“From the start, this Administration has furiously fought to roll back all climate protections, without any concern for the impact on the jobs and health of hard-working Americans. From pulling out of the Paris Climate Accord to pushing an EPA budget purpose-built to gut protections for the American people to openly denying the scientific reality of the climate crisis, the White House has made clear its complete disinterest in advancing a healthier, stronger clean energy economy that creates the good-paying jobs of the future.

“The Trump Administration and this Congress have a sacred obligation to preserve the beauty of God’s creation for future generations. Democrats will continue to fight for real, bold action to safeguard the future of our climate and children.”

Read more about this:

Coal industry supporters celebrate EPA repeal of Clean Power Plan

CEI’s Myron Ebell Hopes EPA Court Filing Will End Clean Power Plan “In Its Entirety”

Source: Competitive Enterprise Institute

Washington, D.C. - October 7, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- In anticipation of the Environmental Protection Agency’s upcoming filing in the litigation concerning the so-called Clean Power Plan, the Competitive Enterprise Institute’s Myron Ebell said:

“If it had gone into effect, the ‘Clean Power’ Plan rule to limit greenhouse gas emissions from coal and natural gas power plants would have been one of the most expensive regulations ever imposed, causing electric rates for consumers to go up and threatening the reliability of the electric grid.

“We hope that in its court filing the EPA will propose to rescind the so-called Clean Power Plan in its entirety. Whether it should be replaced by a more modest regulation is something that can be discussed, and it is our understanding that this is what the EPA plans to do with an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.

“The Supreme Court blocked implementation of the rule in February 2016. There is little doubt that the court would have eventually decided that the rule is illegal. Thus the EPA under Administrator Scott Pruitt is not only doing the right thing for the economy, but is also simply following the laws that govern regulatory activity.

“Scrapping the ‘Clean Power’ Plan is a key part of President Trump’s de-regulatory agenda, which is designed to get the economy moving again. This rule and other greenhouse gas emissions rules are depressing investment and job growth in resource and manufacturing industries.”

See more from CEI on the Clean Power Plan here.

MERKLEY STATEMENT ON TRUMP’S ATTEMPT TO UNDO CLEAN POWER PLAN

Washington, D.C. - October 5, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement in response to news reports that the Trump administration will attempt to undo the Clean Power Plan, the most significant federal curb on carbon pollution:

“This is a dangerous and irresponsible step backward in our fight to combat climate disruption and protect our families’ health. It formalizes exactly what I feared: that the Trump administration is recklessly unwilling to act on one of the greatest challenges of our time.

“Already we are seeing the cost of climate disruption in longer and more dangerous wildfire seasons and record-breaking hurricanes that threaten our health, economy and way of life. Yet the Trump administration continues to ignore the facts on the ground and refuses to act. America must display bold global leadership in taking on this challenge, not shameful obstruction.

“Today at an Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee confirmation hearing, I asked Bill Wehrum, the EPA nominee who would be tapped with scrapping the Clean Power Plan, a very basic question: is human activity causing climate change? Shockingly, but perhaps unsurprisingly, he used the same line every nominee of this administration seems to use: it's an 'open question.’ Wehrum refused to give a straight answer. I will do everything in my power to block his nomination and protect the Clean Power Plan.”