Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.), the chairman of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Power, recently scheduled a hearing to examine the Obama Administration’s climate change agenda, specifically its new standards for new and existing power plants.
Whitfield released a white paper report on Friday that was written by attorney generals from 17 states. The report was related to the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed regulations for existing electricity power plants fueled by coal.
Whether or not the EPA will adhere to the limitations of its power under the Clean Air Act while developing and implementing new regulations was a concern expressed by the coalition of attorney generals in the report.
“The Obama Administration continues to unilaterally bypass the role of the states, while stifling job creation by eliminating affordable energy through new regulations that will only be another blow to our fragile economy,” Whitfield said.
The attorney generals said in the report they had concerns that EPA overreach on emission standards for existing plants could result in a negative impact on the economy.
The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday. Scheduled witnesses for the hearing include EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy and Ernest Moniz, the secretary of the Department of Energy.
Whitefield is also requesting information on the impact that President Barack Obama’s climate change agenda will have on states, the economy and new jobs.
“The most frustrating part is the administration is doing this with no public debate, and many in the United States Congress and individual states have been expressing deep concern about the impact that this will have on our ability to remain competitive in the global marketplace,” Whitfield said.