Rep. Gosar Condemns Obama's New Cap and Tax Plan

Press Release

Today, U.S. Congressmen Paul Gosar issued the following statement regarding the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) issuance of a new proposed rule for existing power plants:

"The Obama Environmental Protection Agency's unnatural fixation with destroying the coal industry, killing jobs and driving up energy prices for consumers continues today. The U.S. economy can't afford to lose 226,000 jobs and $50 billion each year as the President pursues his overreaching climate change agenda by any means and all costs necessary. The President's agenda is so extreme, that less than 25% of all Americans consider it to be a priority.

"The President continues to unlawfully direct the EPA to impose strict limits on coal plants in order to appease environmental extremists within his own party. Congress has repeatedly rejected previous cap-and-tax energy plans proposed by the President and his big-government allies. Knowing he can't lawfully enact a carbon-dioxide tax plan, President Obama has chosen to circumvent Congress and impose these new regulations by executive fiat. Congress, not EPA bureaucrats at the behest of the President, should dictate our country's climate change policy."

"The bottom line is that this new rule will kill good-paying jobs in rural communities throughout the country. In Arizona, this proposal will likely force the Navajo Generating Station to close its doors, which will mean the permanent loss of nearly a 1,000 good-paying jobs. I will continue to fight for jobs, oppose this overreach and be a voice of reason for the American people."

Background:
American families are projected to lose almost $600 billion in disposable income as a result of EPA's new proposed rule. All of this economic harm and destruction for our economies will only result in a 1.8% reduction of global carbon-dioxide emissions by the year 2030.

This new rule will severely impact the Navajo Generating Station (NGS)--a low-sulfur, coal fired plant located in Page, Arizona--which provides an affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy source to power critical water supplies to cities, industries, farms, and tribal communities encompassing nearly 80% of Arizona's population. The NGS is critical to Arizona's water supply because it provides 95% of the power for the Central Arizona Project (CAP). Each year, CAP uses approximately 2.8 million megawatt hours of electricity to deliver more than 500 billion gallons of Colorado River water to a three-county service area that includes more than 80% of the state's population. This includes 45% of the city of Phoenix's projected water demand and 80% of Tucson's projected water demand. Shutting down the Navajo Generating Station will also cost the people of Arizona untold amounts of money in increased utility costs.
Today, U.S. Congressmen Paul Gosar issued the following statement regarding the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) issuance of a new proposed rule for existing power plants:

"The Obama Environmental Protection Agency's unnatural fixation with destroying the coal industry, killing jobs and driving up energy prices for consumers continues today. The U.S. economy can't afford to lose 226,000 jobs and $50 billion each year as the President pursues his overreaching climate change agenda by any means and all costs necessary. The President's agenda is so extreme, that less than 25% of all Americans consider it to be a priority.

"The President continues to unlawfully direct the EPA to impose strict limits on coal plants in order to appease environmental extremists within his own party. Congress has repeatedly rejected previous cap-and-tax energy plans proposed by the President and his big-government allies. Knowing he can't lawfully enact a carbon-dioxide tax plan, President Obama has chosen to circumvent Congress and impose these new regulations by executive fiat. Congress, not EPA bureaucrats at the behest of the President, should dictate our country's climate change policy."

"The bottom line is that this new rule will kill good-paying jobs in rural communities throughout the country. In Arizona, this proposal will likely force the Navajo Generating Station to close its doors, which will mean the permanent loss of nearly a 1,000 good-paying jobs. I will continue to fight for jobs, oppose this overreach and be a voice of reason for the American people."

Background:
American families are projected to lose almost $600 billion in disposable income as a result of EPA's new proposed rule. All of this economic harm and destruction for our economies will only result in a 1.8% reduction of global carbon-dioxide emissions by the year 2030.

This new rule will severely impact the Navajo Generating Station (NGS)--a low-sulfur, coal fired plant located in Page, Arizona--which provides an affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy source to power critical water supplies to cities, industries, farms, and tribal communities encompassing nearly 80% of Arizona's population. The NGS is critical to Arizona's water supply because it provides 95% of the power for the Central Arizona Project (CAP). Each year, CAP uses approximately 2.8 million megawatt hours of electricity to deliver more than 500 billion gallons of Colorado River water to a three-county service area that includes more than 80% of the state's population. This includes 45% of the city of Phoenix's projected water demand and 80% of Tucson's projected water demand. Shutting down the Navajo Generating Station will also cost the people of Arizona untold amounts of money in increased utility costs.

At a time when 42% of the Navajo Tribe live below the federal poverty line, the plant provides 500 good-paying jobs, with almost 80% going to members of Navajo Nation. In addition, the associated Kayenta coal mine provides 400 good-paying jobs. The plant and coal mine combine to generate nearly $137 million in revenue and wages for Navajo Nation and about $12 million annually for the Hopi Tribe, nearly 88% of their annual operating budget. Therefore, the plant supports tribal communities in this region and their overall economic vitality, which is critical in assisting with the ability for tribes to remain sovereign nations.
At a time when 42% of the Navajo Tribe live below the federal poverty line, the plant provides 500 good-paying jobs, with almost 80% going to members of Navajo Nation. In addition, the associated Kayenta coal mine provides 400 good-paying jobs. The plant and coal mine combine to generate nearly $137 million in revenue and wages for Navajo Nation and about $12 million annually for the Hopi Tribe, nearly 88% of their annual operating budget. Therefore, the plant supports tribal communities in this region and their overall economic vitality, which is critical in assisting with the ability for tribes to remain sovereign nations.

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