A bipartisan resolution introduced by U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) that would void the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) regulations for existing power plants passed the Senate on Monday.
The regulations call for a 32 percent cut in carbon emissions by the power sector, which Capito said would result in fewer job opportunities, higher power bills and less reliable electricity.
“American jobs and economic growth are being held hostage as the administration proposes regulations that harm energy-producing states,” Capito said. “Today’s passage of a bipartisan resolution of disapproval makes clear that enough is enough – the president cannot move forward with policies at expense of our families, communities and economy. The administration needs to understand coal’s role in our energy landscape, and I will continue my efforts to ensure that our state has access to affordable, reliable energy.”
Under the final EPA Clean Power Plan, North Dakota would face emissions reductions of 45 percent.
“North Dakota power plants need workable rules if they’re going to continue generating affordable and reliable electricity for families and small businesses,” Heitkamp said. “EPA’s rules on existing power plants are not realistic for my state and many others, and this resolution makes it clear that a bipartisan majority of the Senate agrees. To make sure overly burdensome EPA regulations don’t hurt my state, I’ll keep pushing for a viable solution through legislation, negotiation, and legal challenges.”
Capito also joined the bipartisan majority of the Senate in voting to pass a resolution disapproving of regulations under the Clean Power Plan for new power plants that was introduced by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV).
Both resolutions will next move to the House for consideration.
Shelley Moore Capito was elected by the people of West Virginia to the United States Senate in 2014. She is the first female U.S. Senator in West Virginia’s history and was elected with the largest margin of victory for a Republican in state history – winning more than 62 percent of the vote and all 55 counties.
After serving West Virginia’s Second Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives for 14 years, and as a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates for four years prior, Shelley decided to run for Senate with the goal of being an even stronger voice for the Mountain State. She also saw an opportunity to restore order to a Senate stuck in gridlock for far too long.