Capito to EPA: You Will Be Required To Consider Jobs

Press Release

Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., introduced H.R. 1872, the "Employment Protection Act," which would require the Environmental Protection Agency to take into account jobs and economic activity prior to issuing a regulation, policy statement, guidance, implementing any new or substantially altered program, or issuing or denying any permit--essentially any action taken by the EPA.

"We know by the EPA's own admission that it does not take into account job impact when making important regulatory decisions. I'm most worried about how many jobs the EPA is willing to eliminate through their anti-coal agenda, but as I said in a Congressional hearing yesterday, "If the Administration is willing to take such drastic measures to destroy coal, what else are they willing to do to the industries in your district?' The EPA's jurisdiction reaches far and wide, from natural gas producers to farming to coal. We should all be worried about becoming EPA targets because it seems as if the agency will stop at nothing to advance their own political agenda, regardless of how many jobs and livelihoods it may destroy," stated Capito. "We all want clean air and fresh water, but we cannot afford to continue this assault on energy jobs."

Capito has fought hard to limit the EPA's assault on Appalachian job-creators, specifically pushing back against the EPA's intent to use broadly interpreted regulatory authority to overstep the bounds of its traditional role in the permitting process. Earlier this year, Capito helped introduce H.R. 960, the Mining Jobs Protection Act which would clarify the authority of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to disapprove permits.

Capito's bill would also require the EPA to hold a public hearing within a State at least 30 days before making a final decision on a regulation, guidance, program or permit if the conclusion is that it will have a negative impact on jobs or economic activity in that State.

"It's frustrating when experts in Washington issue rules or revoke permits without any clue as to how it will impact jobs and the local economy. Before making a decision that will hurt families and communities, the EPA should have to listen to folks and see how families depend on a certain way of life. Will it change their minds? That remains to be seen, but at least a hearing will allow West Virginians to have their voices heard," stated Capito.

The energy industry provides thousands of good-paying jobs, and coal aloneprovides over half of our nation's electricity and over 95 percent of the power in West Virginia.

Capito expects her legislation to gain bipartisan support.

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