Via The Independent Record:

The Clean Power Plan, as proposed by the EPA, calls for a crippling reduction of productivity from Montana’s economy. It’s an outrageous plan, and everyone in Montana should join union workers, local electric co-ops, industry and Montana Gov. Steve Bullock in opposing it.

The EPA sees no middle ground in their efforts to destroy our energy economy, and their aggressive approach to carbon reduction is sure to cause a string of job losses and economic destruction across the U.S., but most prominently in Montana.

The EPA is calling for almost 50 percent in reductions in Montana’s carbon output in a stunning and nebulous federal overreach that will remake America’s electric grid at a very high cost to Montana families.

Gov. Steve Bullock should be applauded for standing up to the extremist actions of the EPA on its Clean Power Plan efforts. He has pointed out the absurdity of the plan recently to the EPA, and with a plan that better suits Montana economy.

The EPA has every intention of shuttering Colstrip and killing high-paying union jobs in Montana. They tried to hide this intent at first, but now they’ve dropped their ruse. Their finalized plan lays it out in black and white, and Gov. Bullock has acknowledged that the Clean Power Plan is a destructive force and that we must oppose it to save Montana jobs.

The unreasonable and downright punitive EPA carbon reduction goals single Montana out among the states and seems designed to punish us for not toeing the line on the president’s carbon reduction agenda. Thankfully our political leadership is ready and willing to stand up to this vast federal overreach.

Gov. Bullock stands side by side with workers and families whose livelihoods depend on Montana’s vast coal resources and abundant power generation opportunities in opposition to the EPA’s grand schemes. Montana has the cleanest coal in the world and it represents a great opportunity to help solve the world’s carbon challenge. Gov. Bullock sees that and is acting in our state’s best interest when he tells the EPA that this plan does not work for Montana.

Acknowledging the realities of our economy and electric grid seem too difficult for the EPA, so we in Montana welcome EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy to take the time out her busy schedule to visit Montana’s coal fields and power plants before attempting to shut them down and put our employees in the bread line. Maybe she can learn something about the realities of our economy and the power it takes to keep this nation’s lights on.

Jess LaBuff is the business manager of the Boilermakers 11 Union. 

See the article here.