EPA’s Pending Power Plant Rule Threatens the American Dream

Via the Energy and Commerce Committee: 

Access to affordable and reliable electricity allows us to cool and heat our homes and powers our economy, but EPA is threatening to restrict access to affordable energy with its proposed regulations on power plants. Under EPA’s proposed 111(d) rule for existing power plants, referred to by the agency as its Clean Power Plan, electricity rates are estimated to increase by an average of 15 percent in a majority of states. These cost increases will hit low-income families the hardest and could lead to fewer jobs and lower wages.

In comments submitted to EPA regarding the proposed rule, organizations have warned about the potential rate shock and other damaging consequences of EPA’s plan. For example:

• National Black Chamber of Commerce: “EPAs proposal to regulate carbon from existing power plants is one of the most complex regulations ever put forth. It also appears to be one of the costliest. Higher energy costs resulting from your proposal will devastate small businesses, for which energy costs are often the highest, or one of the highest, operating expenses. … EPA and the Obama Administration must recognize that these policies will cause a domino effect that could ultimately force African-American business owners to eliminate good-paying jobs and become more financially unstable as energy costs rise.”

• United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce: “The growth of Hispanic businesses has exploded, up nearly 40 percent since 2007. … Many factors have bolstered this growth, but chief among them has been access to low-cost electricity. Businesses of all sizes—from energy-intensive manufacturers to small family-owned stores—require power to keep their operations moving. Therefore, it is critical that the regulations coming out of Washington protect small business owners, in all communities, from increased electricity costs. If monthly energy bills get too high, business owners are forced to trim their spending in other areas, which too often includes payroll. … [W]e urge EPA to re-examine the impacts and implementation of its Clean Power Plan proposal, which we believe is currently too inflexible, costly and contains many unknown impacts.”

• National Association of Realtors: “If this rule is finalized, we can expect fewer families to realize the American dream of homeownership. Some homeowners could be forced to walk away from their existing homes due to rising energy costs. … It is not prudent to implement such drastic and costly rules at this time.”

As our economy recovers and many Americans are just getting back on their feet, the last thing they need is more regulations that could drive up the cost of energy. Instead of making it harder for Americans to achieve their dreams – whether it’s starting a business, getting a job, or owning a home – we need solutions that will encourage success. That’s why Energy and Power Subcommittee Chairman Ed Whitfield (R-KY), Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-GA), Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA), and Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN) have introduced the Ratepayer Protection Act. This commonsense, bipartisan legislation will empower states to protect families and businesses from rate increases, reduced reliability, and other harmful effects of EPA’s so-called Clean Power Plan. To learn more about this solution to keep electricity affordable and reliable, click HERE.