Scalise slams Clean Power Plan as job killer, electricity-rate booster

After the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its final Clean Power Plan on Monday, creating restrictions to cut carbon dioxide emissions from all existing power plants nationwide within the next 15 years, U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) spoke out against the policy.

“This radical rule released by Obama’s EPA will kill jobs, increase household electricity costs and decrease take-home pay for hard-working taxpayers,” Scalise said. “It is shameful that unelected bureaucrats in Washington would force American families to pay the high price for these absurdly unrealistic regulations that a majority of states said they do not want.”

The regulations would force systematic changes to the way power is generated in the U.S., changing the scope of the industry and forcing power companies to lay off workers, reduce wages, increase electricity rates and make other moves that could harm local economies.

“If implemented, these radical regulations will create more red tape, jeopardize the safe and affordable electricity generated from existing power plants, and cripple this already-struggling economy,” Scalise said. “I will continue fighting tooth and nail for hard-working taxpayers and job creators who do not want to suffer under the weight of these radical decisions coming out of President Obama’s EPA.”

Scalise (R-LA) has represented Louisiana’s First District in the House since 2008. Born in New Orleans in 1965, Scalise served for four months in the Louisiana State Senate and 12 years in the Louisiana House of Representatives. Scalise was educated at Louisiana State University and currently serves on the House Energy and Commerce committee.