Heidi Alexander: “later this week the Senate will vote on a resolution to disapprove the Clean Air Act rule designed to limit the blowing…”

“later this week the Senate will vote on a resolution to disapprove the Clean Air Act rule designed to limit the blowing of powerplant pollution from one State to another. In my opinion, overturning the rule would throw the matter back to regulators, back to courts, back to lawsuits, and back into a delay. Senator Pryor of Arkansas and I are introducing today S. 1815. We have sent it to the desk. It is bipartisan legislation that will provide what we believe is a better approach, and that approach is to enact the clean air rule into law but give utilities 1 additional year in which to comply with it. Our approach would provide certainty and cleaner air at the lowest possible cost to ratepayers. The motion to overturn the clean air rule will be offered by the junior Senator from Kentucky, Mr. Paul. Tennesseans admire much about our Kentucky neighbors. We admire their bluegrass, we admire their basketball, we admire their distinguished Senators. But Tennesseans don't want Kentucky's State income tax, and we don't want Kentucky's dirty air. We also know our neighbors in North Carolina don't want Tennessee's dirty air blowing into North Carolina because they have told us that through lawsuits in the courts, which they have won. Air pollution blowing from one State into another makes our citizens sick, especially our younger Tennesseans and our older Tennesseans. Air pollution blowing from other States into our State is a jobs issue.…”