Cramer Joins Amicus Brief to Overturn EPA's Clean Power Plan

Statement

Congressman Kevin Cramer announced today he joined 34 members of the U.S. Senate and 170 House colleagues in filing an amicus brief in support of petitions filed by 27 states seeking to overturn the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Power Plan Final Rule. Thirty-nine lawsuits seeking review of the Final Rule have been consolidated in the D.C. Circuit. The Final Rule was stayed by the Supreme Court on Feb. 9. The D.C. Circuit is scheduled to hear oral arguments in the consolidated cases on June 2. An amicus brief, or "friend of the court" brief, can be filed in order to address concerns and advise the Court on a matter of law that directly affects the case at hand.

"The EPA's actions are clearly illegal and violate the expressed intent of Congress," said Cramer. "In order to defend the law and authority of Congress I joined my colleagues to stand up to this Administration and oppose it's actions in federal court. He singled out North Dakota by requiring the state's energy producers to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by a detrimental 45 percent, which is dramatically higher than the 11 percent reduction proposed in the initial rule. North Dakota's electrical producers provide some of the most affordable electricity and maintain some of the cleanest air, but this Administration's focus on implementing a radical environmental agenda threatens our economic future."

The brief, posted here, argues the EPA's Clean Power Plan exceeds its statutory authority and violates the intent of Congress.

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