Indiana State Representative Opposes EPA Regulations (Warrick Publishing)

Standing up for Hoosiers

By Ron Bacon – State Representative

This will not be the first time you hear me talk about coal, nor will it be the last. I have spoken in the past about what I feel are destructive regulations passed on Indiana by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); regulations that are made stricter and stricter every time we turn around. In fact, according to Indiana’s Utility Forecasting Group, regulations have already been put in place that will increase the cost of electricity in Indiana by 30 percent over the next seven years.

Pike and Warrick counties are two of the most coal dense counties in the entire state, so our district stands to be among the most impacted by these changes. While I can appreciate the EPA’s efforts for a cleaner America, I would argue that this industry has already done enough. According to the Institute for Energy Research, coal-fired electricity generation is cleaner today than ever before, and this is not simply by chance. The coal industry has spent billions on “clean-coal” initiatives that have made production not only cleaner but also more efficient. In addition, I think the EPA has overlooked another very important aspect: our local economies.

 What particularly concerns me is that the closure of coal plants and a decrease in coal production will result in an increase in energy costs and essentially everything else we use, as everything is dependent on energy. The sad reality is that low-income Hoosiers will feel these impacts at a disproportionate rate. For example, a $10 per month increase in utility costs could be the difference between a warm home and a meal for some families. In addition, the EPA’s anti-coal initiatives will make it more difficult for Indiana to attract new business by offering low-cost electricity generated from coal.

I encourage you to contact your federal representatives and let them know how you feel about this issue. If you are unsure who your federal representative is, you can use our website to find out. By typing in your address, it will not only tell you who you should contact but also what number to call. This resource can be found at http://district.iga.in.gov/DistrictLookup/. Together, I am confident that we can make a difference.

See article here.

  • On July 25, 2014