House lawmakers request 60-day extension to allow stakeholders to weigh in
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Jackie Walorski and seventy bipartisan House lawmakers today sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy requesting a sixty-day comment period extension for a controversial rule proposing new greenhouse gas emission standards for new power plants.
“As you know, the EPA’s actions have far-reaching implications, and this proposed rule affects not only coal and natural gas companies but also energy-intensive industries like manufacturing and construction as well as average American families trying to pay their electric bills,” wrote lawmakers.
This extension would allow stakeholders more time to examine the proposed rule and communicate future economic impacts that may negatively impact consumers. In some states, coal provides nearly 90 percent of electricity for utilities, businesses, and manufacturing. The proposed rule would contribute to future increases in electricity costs, stifling job creation and hindering economic growth.
House lawmakers have also introduced legislation to reign in overreaching EPA regulations and promote affordable energy production. On Wednesday, the Energy and Power Subcommittee passed the Electricity Security and Affordability Act, a bill co-sponsored by Walorski, with bipartisan support. This bill seeks to set achievable standards for coal-fired power plants and support energy independence.
Full Text of Letter:
January 15, 2014
The Honorable Gina McCarthy
Administrator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, Northwest
Washington, D.C. 20460
Dear Administrator McCarthy,
We are writing to request a sixty day extension of the comment period for the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed rule titled Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units (RIN 2060-AQ91).
Given the 2.5 million comments EPA received for the previous version of this rule and the many stakeholders who could be affected, we believe a comment period extension is appropriate.
As you know, the EPA’s actions have far-reaching implications, and this proposed rule affects not only coal and natural gas companies but also energy-intensive industries like manufacturing and construction as well as average American families trying to pay their electric bills.
Given that nearly forty percent of electricity in the United States is generated by coal, it is especially important to carefully consider both the short- and long-term ramifications of this proposal. In some states nearly ninety percent of electricity is coal-powered, so consumers could be especially hard-hit. We have already heard an outpouring of concern from constituents alarmed about this proposal’s impact on energy affordability, job creation, and long-term economic growth. Allowing stakeholders additional time to comment will ensure those wishing to share their views are able to do so and will enable the EPA to more fully consider public opinion.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to working with you to develop commonsense policies that protect our precious natural resources while creating jobs, lowering costs, and boosting our economy.
Sincerely,
Jackie Walorski
Member of Congress
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Mike Conaway Sam Graves
Chairman, Committee on Ethics Chairman, Committee on Small Business
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Michael McCaul Hal Rogers
Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security Chairman, Committee on Appropriations
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Bill Shuster Lamar Smith
Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman, Committee on Space, Science,
& Technology
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Nick Rahall
Ranking Member, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
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Robert Aderholt Andy Barr
Member of Congress Member of Congress
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Joe Barton Marsha Blackburn
Member of Congress Member of Congress
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Susan Brooks Paul Broun, M.D.
Member of Congress Member of Congress
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Larry Bucshon, M.D. Shelley Moore Capito
Member of Congress Member of Congress
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Chris Collins Doug Collins
Member of Congress Member of Congress
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Kevin Cramer Steve Daines
Member of Congress Member of Congress
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Rodney Davis Charles Dent
Member of Congress Member of Congress
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Sean Duffy William Enyart
Member of Congress Member of Congress
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John C. Fleming, M.D. Bill Flores
Member of Congress Member of Congress
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Paul Gosar, D.D.S. Tim Griffin
Member of Congress Member of Congress
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H. Morgan Griffith Brett Guthrie
Member of Congress Member of Congress
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Andy Harris Vicky Hartzler
Member of Congress Member of Congress
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Tim Huelskamp Bill Johnson
Member of Congress Member of Congress
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Mike Kelly Steve King
Member of Congress Member of Congress
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Jack Kingston Adam Kinzinger
Member of Congress Member of Congress
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Doug Lamborn Robert Latta
Member of Congress Member of Congress
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Billy Long Cynthia Lummis
Member of Congress Member of Congress
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Thomas Massie Jim Matheson
Member of Congress Member of Congress
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David McKinley Cathy McMorris Rodgers
Member of Congress Member of Congress
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Luke Messer Mick Mulvaney
Member of Congress Member of Congress
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Tim Murphy Randy Neugebauer
Member of Congress Member of Congress
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Rich Nugent Pete Olson
Member of Congress Member of Congress
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Stevan Pearce Trey Radel
Member of Congress Member of Congress
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Jim Renacci Phil Roe, M.D.
Member of Congress Member of Congress
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Dana Rohrabacher Todd Rokita
Member of Congress Member of Congress
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Keith Rothfus David Schweikert
Member of Congress Member of Congress
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Adrian Smith Jason Smith
Member of Congress Member of Congress
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Chris Stewart Steve Stivers
Member of Congress Member of Congress
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Marlin Stutzman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson
Member of Congress Member of Congress
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Ann Wagner Lynn Westmoreland
Member of Congress Member of Congress
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Don Young Todd Young
Member of Congress Member of Congress