U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-IN) joined more than 200 members of Congress in filing an amicus brief on Wednesday that supports overturning the EPA’s Clean Power Plan.
A legal challenge filed on behalf of 27 states asks the D.C. Circuit Court to vacate the EPA final rule known as the Clean Power Plan. The amicus brief states that the final rule extends beyond the EPA’s statutory authority and would impose “enormous costs” on states without achieving meaningful climate benefits.
“These regulations would be devastating to Indiana’s energy sector, the thousands of jobs it supports, and the low cost energy it provides to seniors on a fixed income, the poor and our manufacturers,” Bucshon said. “Not to mention, these regulations are a clear overreach of the EPA’s legal authority. Congress has repeatedly tried to overturn these regulations through legislation; however, the president and his allies continue blocking our legislative efforts in order to protect their ideological climate change agenda.”
Under the Clean Power Plan, states will face unprecedented regulatory burdens, while electricity customers will be subjected to billions of dollars in compliances costs, according to the amicus brief.
“Now we’re taking the fight to the courts because we believe the way forward is through innovation and technology advancements, not unlawful federal regulations that cannot be met, damage the economy and cost jobs,” Buschon said. “I’m proud to help file this amicus brief, in support of states like Indiana, requesting that the D.C. Circuit Court vacate these regulations that have been temporarily blocked by the Supreme Court.”
The amicus brief argues that the Clean Power Plan goes “well beyond the clear statutory directive” by requiring states to submit for approval regional energy plans that meet predetermined EPA carbon dioxide mandates.