On the recordMay 29, 2014
On Monday, the EPA is expected to unleash what is essentially a Federal cap-and-trade proposal aimed at our Nation's existing coal-fired power plants. I will oppose this rule, as it will adversely affect coal miners and coal mining communities throughout West Virginia and the Nation. At stake is our economy and the livelihoods of our coal miners, our steelworkers, electrical workers, those who keep our freight trains running, and families and businesses that rely on affordable energy from coal. Even though we don't have the details of the rule yet, from everything we know, we can be sure of this: it will be very bad for jobs. The only real question is where, on a scale from devastating to a death blow, the new rule will fall. I have written to OMB opposing the new source performance standards rule for future power plants and calling upon the Director to return the draft rule to EPA and calling on EPA to go back to the drawing board on their proposal. I have joined 181 Members of this body in a letter to Administrator McCarthy asking that the normal 60-day comment period be extended to at least 120 additional days. I have cosponsored and voted for H.R. 3826, the Electricity Security and Affordability Act, along with my colleague, the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Whitfield), which would block the new source performance rule for future power plants. The House passed the bill on March 16, by a vote of 229-183, and sent it over to the other body.…
