Press Releases

Today, Members of the Senate and Congressional Western Caucus released statements praising action by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to repeal and replace the Clean Power Plan (CPP) with the Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) Rule. 

Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Paul Gosar (AZ-04): “For eight years, President Obama waged a war on American energy. The so-called ‘Clean Power Plan’ would have devastated rural economies, cost American jobs, and threatened our energy independence. President Trump promised to roll back costly and burdensome regulations, and today’s action continues to deliver on this promise. The Affordable Clean Energy Act supports energy diversity and affordability, restores the rule of law, and treats states as partners rather than the enemy when it comes to developing plans that benefit the environment. I applaud Administrator Wheeler and President Trump for their leadership and for repealing one of the Obama Administration’s biggest attacks on American energy.”

Senate Western Caucus Chairman Steve Daines (R-MT): “The new ACE plan is great news for Montana’s rural communities. The Obama EPA Power Plan would have wiped out Colstrip immediately, killing high paying jobs, local and state tax revenue that helps pay for our schools, and affordable reliable energy that keeps the lights on. This ACE Rule would instead provide flexibility to states and power plants to innovate to reduce pollution rather than eliminating coal fired generation with heavy mandates from Washington. I thank the Trump administration for taking this leadership.”

Vice-Chairman for Indian Affairs and Oceans Don Young (AK-At Large): “The CPP was an egregious act of Federal overreach that attempted to override the original congressional intent behind the Clean Air Act. I’m pleased that the EPA has instead issued the ACE rule, which helps reign in Federal bureaucracy, cut red tape, and empower states in determining the best course of action for their energy, environmental, and geographic needs. This rule, unlike the CPP, will not force coal-based power plants to shut down or face unfair and punitive penalties, but will allow them to continue to operate while working to become more efficient.”

Chief Agriculture and Business Officer Doug LaMalfa (CA-10): “The previous Administration’s Clean Power Plan far exceeded the EPA’s authority under the Clean Air Act. Fortunately, the Supreme Court recognized this and stepped in to prevent it from ever taking effect. Now, the EPA is implementing a new rule that actually supports the role of states and promotes energy diversity in America. The Affordable Clean Energy Rule will save taxpayers millions of dollars, reduce emissions, and promote investment in new technologies, and I applaud the Trump Administration and the EPA for replacing the CPP with something that works.”

Chief Regulatory Reform Officer Andy Biggs (AZ-05): “I commend President Trump and his administration for repealing the Obama-era ‘Clean Power Plan.’  This action is another example of the President staying true to his promise to cut unnecessary regulations and revive America’s energy independence.”

Chief Rules Officer Dan Newhouse (WA-04): “We should be empowering states to develop plans to reduce carbon emissions by using evidence-based methods – not through ineffective bureaucratic mandates like the CPP. In Washington state, we are fortunate to have access to diverse energy resources like hydropower, nuclear, solar, and wind. I welcome the Affordable Clean Energy rule, which will give each state the authority and flexibility to explore renewable, affordable energy plans. By promoting innovation and modernization of our energy plans, we can continue to reduce emissions in the United States.”

House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (LA-01): “The Trump Administration’s announcement of the Affordable Clean Energy rule to replace the Clean Power Plan is another welcome addition to President Trump’s list of promises fulfilled that benefit American workers. The Obama Administration’s top down, one-size-fits-all Clean Power Plan would have killed jobs and raised energy prices, hurting hard-working families.  This revised rule will focus on free market principles to strengthen American energy dominance while still protecting our environment.  I look forward to continuing to work with President Trump on achieving American energy dominance to strengthen our national security and finally give economic opportunities to millions of people who were left behind.”

House Republican Conference Chair Liz Cheney (WY-At Large): “The Trump Administration is once again working to strengthen the Wyoming economy and protect the energy industry by reversing the Obama-era Clean Power Plan, which was killing jobs, strangling our economy, and slowly destroying our coal industry. Coal from Wyoming’s Powder River Basin is the cleanest in the world and provides power to 27 states. Ensuring the reliability of our electric grid by supporting coal — a crucial baseload power source — is an economic and national security priority. By returning more authority to the states, the ACE Rule will allow regulators in Wyoming and other states throughout the country to tailor their plans without the devastating effects of the Clean Power Plan. This rule recognizes the need for proven sources of energy that keep the lights on in Wyoming and throughout the country, a stark contrast from proposals like the Green New Deal that are purely a fantasy. I thank President Trump and Administrator Wheeler for their commitment to a cooperative partnership between the EPA and states, rather than the mandated subservience required by the Obama Administration.”

Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Chairman John Barrasso (R-WY): “The Affordable Clean Energy rule is good news for Wyoming. The Trump administration’s rule follows the law and lowers emissions. The so-called ‘Clean Power Plan’ would have mandated the shutdown of power plants and increased energy costs for families in Wyoming and across the country. I look forward to working with President Trump, Administrator Wheeler, and the state of Wyoming to implement this common sense replacement to the Clean Power Plan.

Senate Committee on the Budget Chairman Mike Enzi (R-WY): “I am glad the EPA is replacing the Clean Power Plan, which was designed to put coal out of business. States, not the federal government, are in the best position to set energy policies that work best for them. This rule helps to empower states and provide needed flexibility to move toward better energy production without causing economic harm.”

Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND): “I applaud President Trump and Administrator Wheeler for repealing the previous administration’s Clean Power Plan and replacing it with the ACE rule. Not only was the Clean Power Plan illegal, it threatened to raise electricity bills, reduce grid reliability, and eliminate well-paying jobs. The ACE rule respects the law and restores the proper balance between states and the federal government while promoting energy security. ACE is a win for North Dakota and the nation.”

Rep. Ralph Abraham (LA-05): “The CPP, like most of Obama’s climate initiatives, went way too far in an effort to score political points with far-left environmentalists. The new rule will not only actually be implemented, but it will make reasonable and meaningful steps to providing cleaner energy.”

Rep. Greg Gianforte (MT-At Large): “I appreciate the work of EPA Administrator Wheeler and President Trump to repeal the Clean Power Plan and help end the war on coal. I welcome this new rule that will help reduce emissions, maintain state authority and flexibility, and recognizes the important role that innovation and modernization can play in our existing coal generation facilities.”

Rep. Debbie Lesko (AZ-08): “I applaud the Trump Administration for implementing a rule that will restore flexibility to the states. The new Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule will empower individual states to decide their own emissions standards and energy portfolios. Unlike the costly and burdensome regulations in Obama’s Clean Power Plan, ACE will diversify the nation’s energy portfolio and lead to lower costs for consumers and businesses.”

Rep. Jeff Duncan (SC-03): “I’m pleased the Trump Administration took action against President Obama’s radical power-grab, the Clean Power Plan. I submitted an amendment to Interior Appropriations to defund this costly and problematic rule which would cause electricity bills to skyrocket for American ratepayers.  The new Trump Administration ACE Rule rolls back Obama’s attacks on American energy through the CPP and paves the way for clean and affordable energy.”

Rep. Louie Gohmert (TX-01): "Today the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) restored the rule of law by repealing the overreaching Clean Power Plan (CPP) and replacing it with the Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) Rule. The Trump EPA Rule that tracks the law will actually allow cheaper energy for the nation’s working poor while cleaning up the air and water to levels not experienced in many decades. Not only did the Obama CPP exceed the authority given the EPA under the actual law, it was challenged by thirty-seven states and ultimately required Supreme Court intervention. This move by the EPA will promote energy affordability and greater variations in energy development throughout the country. States will now be allowed to develop a better understanding of the resources within their borders. Thankfully, this rule will also help restore the appropriate roles between the federal government and allow states more power to help the environment and their citizens."

Rep. Larry Bucshon (IN-08): “I am pleased to see President Trump has taken action to replace the Obama Administration’s failed Clean Power Plan which exceeded authority Congress gave to the EPA and which never fully went into effect due to Supreme Court intervention. President Trump’s Affordable Clean Energy Rule gives power back to the states, incentives private investment in new, cleaner technologies, and aims to reduce CO2, mercury, and ozone precursors from coal-fired electric generation. The Affordable Clean Energy Rule helps to strengthen our energy independence while protecting the environment and ensures for a more reliable and resilient energy grid for all Hoosiers.”

Rep. Bob Gibbs (OH-07): With the replacement of the Obama Administration’s so-called “Clean Power Plan”, President Trump is continuing his promise to roll back heavy-handed energy regulations that would increase the cost of electricity for American families and decrease the reliability of our nation’s power grid. The EPA’s new Affordable Clean Energy Rule maintains the United States’ commitment to improving air quality and environmental conditions while providing regulatory certainty and flexibility to states. The ACE Rule proves state environmental agencies and the private sector can be partners in efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, not as adversaries like the Obama Administration treated them. Despite the unnecessary alarmism from socialists touting the Green New Deal, the United States is already a global leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The ACE Rule will ensure we continue to be the leader without the Green New Deal’s call for command-and-control socialist economics.”

Background: Today, the United States Environmental Protection Agency released the final Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) Rule which repeals and replaces the previous Administration’s so-called “Clean Power Plan (CPP).” The CPP represented an overreach of EPA's authority, and was another tool in the Obama administration's war on American energy. The ACE Rule restores the proper roles of the EPA and states, and provides regulatory certainty to the private sector.

The Clean Power Plan sought to pick winners and losers through a top-down, one-size-fits-all, national energy policy. The unconstitutional mandates in the CPP would have cost job creators and our economy nearly $300 billion dollars while also resulting in double digit electricity prices in at least 40 states.

Specifically, the CPP aimed to dramatically reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from new and existing power plants. These new regulations called for an unrealistic 32% cut nationwide in CO2 emissions by the year 2030 from 2005 levels. These new mandates placed incredible burdens on states, would have dramatically increased electricity rates and endangered the overall reliability of the grid. Due to this unprecedented overreach, Congress rejected these new regulations using the Congressional Review Act. Specifically, the Senate voted on November 17, 2015 to reject these rules and the House followed suit on December 1, 2015. Unfortunately, President Obama decided to veto both these pieces of legislation and continue his war on coal.

Courtesy of the EPA:

Pursuant to President Trump’s Executive Order 13873, which directed Federal agencies to review burdensome regulations, the EPA undertook a review of the CPP. Many believed the CPP exceeded EPA’s authority under the Clean Air Act, which is why 27 states, 24 trade associations, 37 rural electric co-ops, and three labor unions challenged the rule. Additionally, the Supreme Court issued an unprecedented stay of the rule.

The ACE rule establishes emission guidelines for states to use when developing plans to limit carbon dioxide (CO2) at coal-fired power plants. ACE identifies heat rate improvements as the “best system of emission reduction” for CO2. These improvements can be made at individual facilities.

A link to the finalized Affordable Clean Energy Rule and Fact Sheets can be found HERE.