Fischer: Clean Power Plan Will Raise Costs for NE Families

Press Release

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) participated in an oversight hearing of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee this morning. The hearing focused on the impact of the administration's Clean Power Plan (CPP). This rule would regulate carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants by imposing costly mandates. These regulations could force many coal-fired power plants to cease operations, resulting in higher electricity bills for American families.

The following is a partial transcript of Senator Fischer's opening remarks at this morning's hearing:

"I believe my job as a United States Senator is to look at the policies that are before us, look at the issues that are before us, and try to determine what that best policy would be. I think that good policy requires balance. Good policy has to look at the issue, but it also has to look at the impacts of what is being presented to us.

"Under the Clean Power Plan, the state of Nebraska is facing a 40% reduction in its carbon emissions rate. That makes the state of Nebraska rank as one of the 10 biggest losers. Iowa was on that list as well. Nebraska is a public power state, 100% public power. Our ratepayers, which means our families in the state of Nebraska, are going to be harmed by this policy.

"Iowa is a leader in wind energy, a leader in this country. Yet under the clean power plan… they don't get any credit. You tell me how that makes good policy. It does not.

"Nebraska's families are going to face affordability and reliability uncertainties. In fact, the employees at the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality have already expended 2000 hours on interpreting and preparing for the implementation of this plan. That consumes vital state resources, which I believe should be devoted to addressing pressing issues in our state that are affecting the citizens of our state."

During today's hearing, Senator Fischer questioned witness Michael McInnes, the CEO of Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, which is an electric cooperative with six Nebraska members. McInnes highlighted how the CPP could force many existing coal-fired power plants to shut down. This would disproportionally harm businesses and customers in those rural areas by forcing them to pay higher electricity bills.

The six Nebraska members of Tri-State Cooperative include:

Chimney Rock Public Power District, Bayard

Midwest Electric Cooperative Corporation, Grant

Northwest Rural Public Power District, Hay Springs

Panhandle Rural Electric Membership Association, Alliance

Roosevelt Public Power District, Scottsbluff

Wheat Belt Public Power District, Sidney

In February 2016, the Supreme Court issued a stay of the Clean Power Plan. Their decision to halt the implementation of the rule was an important step forward in curbing this federal overreach. However, since this stay went into effect, the EPA has downplayed its significance in an attempt to coerce states to comply with the rule.

Senator Fischer is an original cosponsor of the Affordable Reliable Energy Now Act (ARENA). The bill would halt the damaging effects of Clean Power Plan on new and existing power plants. It also protects ratepayers from increased electricity rates and reduced reliability. Additionally, last year, Senator Fischer voted for two resolutions that would prevent the EPA from implementing the Clean Power Plan under the Congressional Review Act.

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