Bozeman Daily Chronicle - Daines-Sponsored Bill Would Block Greenhouse Gas Regulations
News Article
By: Troy Carter
Montana's Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Daines has introduced legislation to effectively block President Barack Obama's proposed environmental regulations that would cut carbon emissions from coal-fired power plants.
The bill, HR 4850, would stop the EPA's regulations from taking effect until the government certifies that the regulations would not cost jobs, harm gross domestic product or raise electricity rates.
"Montanans rely on coal to provide good, high-paying jobs, deliver affordable electricity to our families and to fund our schools, libraries and parks. President Obama's war on coal is a war on Montana's economy, workers and families," Daines said in a prepared statement.
"This common sense bill protects Montanans from job losses and increased energy prices that would result from the EPA's job-killing regulations. I will keep fighting against regulations that squeeze the middle class and make life more difficult for Montana families who depend on coal and all that it provides for our state."
Obama's proposed environmental rules aim to reduce power plant emissions by 30 percent from 2005 levels by 2030. There are more than 600 coal-fired power plants in the United States.
The EPA rule, which allows each state to come up with their own way to meet the goal, will be finalized a year from now after public comment.
Daines' bill is the House version of the "Coal Country Protection Act" introduced by Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
Daines, a candidate for the U.S. Senate, is the third largest recipient of campaign donations from the coal mining industry, with $63,850 reported in the current election cycle, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
Montana ranks seventh of the 25 coal-producing states. The Big Sky state has six coal mines that produced 42,231,000 short tons of coal in 2013, according to the U.S. Energy Information Agency.
Mineral fuel (which includes coal and light oils) is the state's second largest export commodity, after wheat. In 2013, $332 million of mineral fuel exports left Montana for Canada, Korea and Switzerland, according to the Montana Department of Commerce.
A survey of 1,002 Americans conducted by Washington Post-ABC News published June 2 showed 69 percent believe climate change is a serious problem facing the country. The same poll found 70 percent believe the federal government should limit the release of greenhouse gases from existing power plants.
Daines' bill has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee but has not been scheduled for a hearing. The Montana congressman is hopeful it will be passed, but only 34 laws have been enacted in the current session of Congress, according to the Federal Register. The 113th Congress is on track to set a record level of unproductivity.
A Democrat from West Virginia, U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall, introduced legislation similar to Daines' bill last week.
The American Energy Alliance, an organization backed by the billionaire Koch Brothers, has attacked Rahall for not fighting hard enough against Obama's attempt to curb carbon emissions.
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