Portman comments on EPA's release of final utility MACT rules
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U.S. Sen. Rob Portman has issued the following statement regarding EPA’s release of a final rule regulating mercury and air toxics standards for power plants:
“The EPA’s decision just days before Christmas is unwelcome news to the thousands of Ohioans who could lose their jobs or see a big increase in their electricity rates, due to the new rules.
"I am concerned that EPA continues to press forward with some of the most costly Clean Air Act rules ever imposed on our nation's economy while failing to demonstrate that the agency truly understands the impact that its regulation could have on grid reliability and economic growth."
By EPA's own estimates, Utility MACT will entail an annual cost of $9.6 billion on the power sector.
Concerns about this rule and its potential to cause significant constraints in electricity reliability have been raised repeatedly this year in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, of which Senator Portman is a member. The concerns have been raised by both Republicans and Democrats on the Committee.
“The uncertainty caused by these regulations could result in the loss of thousands of Ohio jobs and will increase electricity rates for families during tough economic times, in return for less reliable power. To get the economy moving again, Washington needs to rein in government overreach and regulations that are creating uncertainty and stifling innovation.”
In September, Sen. Portman introduced the Regulatory Accountability Act of 2011 to significantly reform the federal regulatory process and reduce unnecessary burdens on job creators.
Under this bill, the new Utility MACT rule would not have been possible without a more rigorous analysis of its costs, benefits and impact on jobs. The bipartisan bill passed the House by a vote of 253-167.[[In-content Ad]]
“The EPA’s decision just days before Christmas is unwelcome news to the thousands of Ohioans who could lose their jobs or see a big increase in their electricity rates, due to the new rules.
"I am concerned that EPA continues to press forward with some of the most costly Clean Air Act rules ever imposed on our nation's economy while failing to demonstrate that the agency truly understands the impact that its regulation could have on grid reliability and economic growth."
By EPA's own estimates, Utility MACT will entail an annual cost of $9.6 billion on the power sector.
Concerns about this rule and its potential to cause significant constraints in electricity reliability have been raised repeatedly this year in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, of which Senator Portman is a member. The concerns have been raised by both Republicans and Democrats on the Committee.
“The uncertainty caused by these regulations could result in the loss of thousands of Ohio jobs and will increase electricity rates for families during tough economic times, in return for less reliable power. To get the economy moving again, Washington needs to rein in government overreach and regulations that are creating uncertainty and stifling innovation.”
In September, Sen. Portman introduced the Regulatory Accountability Act of 2011 to significantly reform the federal regulatory process and reduce unnecessary burdens on job creators.
Under this bill, the new Utility MACT rule would not have been possible without a more rigorous analysis of its costs, benefits and impact on jobs. The bipartisan bill passed the House by a vote of 253-167.[[In-content Ad]]