Obama War on Coal

Floor Speech

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, while our Nation benefits from great wealth, often we become disconnected from just what it takes to power a great Nation.

Standards of living that many are accustomed to in the developed world--including flipping a switch and having lights turn on, or with the turn of a dial having a machine do household laundry--these things aren't easily accessed by most of the planet.

We've become accustomed to these day-to-day activities; but to have lights and power, America needs both affordable and reliable electricity. The fact is, much of this electricity is generated by coal.

Despite some of the most abundant domestic energy resources, we are in denial. Mr. Speaker, we are in denial of the fact that we must produce energy to actually consume it. This disconnect from reality leaves the world's largest consumer of energy with no plan to power the largest economy in the world.

The EPA's New Source Performance Standard for coal-powered plants is a misguided pursuit that jeopardizes the economic security of our country. It is a direct threat to the American consumer, affordable electricity, and the economic security of Pennsylvanians and the Nation.

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