Capito, Heitkamp, 47 Other Senators Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Block EPA Regulations for Existing Power Sources

Statement

U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), along with 47 Senate co-sponsors, have introduced a resolution disapproving of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed Clean Power Plan regulations for existing power sources.

"With this resolution, members of Congress will have an opportunity to voice their opinion about whether the administration's far-reaching Clean Power Plan should go into effect," said Senator Capito. "There is a reason that 25 states have already filed lawsuits against the Clean Power Plan - this impractical rule fails to consider the costs to American families, communities and jobs. It is time to send a clear signal that across the board regulations from Washington are not the best way forward."

"This is just one piece of our efforts to push back against EPA's final rule for existing power plants -- a rule that is totally unworkable as written for North Dakota's utilities and regulators without causing severe reliability issues and massive rate increases," said Senator Heitkamp. "Our bipartisan legislation enables senators to express their frustration with the rule. Beyond this resolution, I've already successfully pressed EPA to meet directly with our utilities and regulators. As a result, EPA has agreed to send technical staff to North Dakota to see firsthand how unique our situation is and to work directly with our utilities and regulators on how -- or if -- we can resolve the many obstacles to meeting these goals. We need workable solutions for North Dakota utilities, as well as for a viable path forward for coal -- which provides almost 80 percent of North Dakota's electricity -- to guarantee our state's families and small businesses have affordable and reliable power."

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