Dive Brief:
- U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) has introduced legislation aimed at rolling back the federal government's Clean Power Plan, which conservatives say will drive up power prices and eliminate jobs.
- Capito, joined by six other conservative lawmakers, introduced the Affordable Reliable Energy Now Act (ARENA), which would require federal regulators to demonstrate how states could meet carbon reduction targets.
- EPA officials are aware of the bill and the legislators' concerns, The Hill reports, and said the final regulations would ensure states could achieve carbon reductions without jeopardizing reliability or driving up the price of electricity.
Dive Insight:
Conservative lawmakers have introduced a bill to roll back the Clean Power Plan, which The Hill points out is the first direct legislative effort to undo the Obama administration's carbon mandates since Republicans took both Congressional houses.
The ARENA legislation says that no state will be required to implement a carbon reduction plan if the state's governor believes it would negatively impact economic growth, reliability or power rates. Final regulations for the CPP are expected this summer, with the U.S. Environmental Protectiona Agency targeting a 30% reduction in carbon emissions.
“President Obama’s misguided ‘Clean Power Plan’ threatens to drastically reduce coal-related jobs, increase energy prices and reduce reliability. After carefully considering the economic and legal implications of this unprecedented proposal, the need for action is clear,” Capito said in a statement. “The Affordable Reliable Energy Now Act enables us to fight back against the assault on coal, and the broader threat to affordable, reliable energy nationwide."
The bill has about two dozen co-sponsors, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).
“I applaud Sen. Capito for introducing legislation that would allow states to better protect middle class families from the ramifications of the Obama Administration’s regressive, and likely illegal, energy regulations,” McConnell said in the statement.
The Hill said environmentalists had a harsh response to the bill, with Sara Chieffo, legislative director for the League of Conservation Voters, calling it "a polluter's wish list."