Sens. Heitkamp, Wicker See Unattainable Standards in ‘Clean Power Plan’

Via KFYR-TV

Posted: Tue 5:47 PM, Oct 13, 2015
By: Peter Zampa, Washington Correspondent

The Environmental Protection Agency’s ‘Clean Power Plan’ has stirred controversy throughout the United States. Some senators believe the administration is setting unachievable standards for carbon dioxide and ozone reductions.

Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., and Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., say the standards being set by the EPA’s final “Clean Power Plan” rule are simply unattainable.

Heitkamp says North Dakota has achieved standards in the past, and that North Dakota air is exceptionally clean, but the new standards are too difficult.

“Everybody loves clean air, but we have to be realistic about how we can get there,” said Heitkamp.

Wicker and the rest of the Mississippi delegation sent a letter to federal agencies expressing their concern with the strain the plan could put on the people in their state.

“If it goes through and is fully implemented, it’s going to put requirements on the state of Mississippi that will explode the monthly power bills of our citizens,” said Wicker.

Wicker doesn’t believe the EPA’s shift toward renewable energy will bring enough benefit to outweigh the cost on the people.

“They say, ‘Well, you can ship in renewable power from other states.’ I can just tell you, Mississippi power bills are going to be a lot more expensive. A lot more expensive,” said Wicker.

Heitkamp says she wants more cooperation between the EPA and the states.

“All of these rules form a cumulative belief that there isn’t much consultation at EPA,” said Heitkamp.

The EPA refused to speak in person, but said in a statement that the standards come as a result of “continually looking at the latest scientific evidence to protect public health with ‘an adequate margin of safety.'”

Read the rest of the article here.