Press Releases

Washington, D.C. (September 20, 2013) – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed new regulations today on carbon emissions from coal-fired power plants. Complying with the outlined regulations would require carbon capture technologies that are currently untested, unproven and heavily subsidized by the federal government. Western Caucus Co-Chairs Steve Pearce and Cynthia Lummis released the following statements in response to the announcement:

“Just as America feared, President Obama is keeping his 2008 promise that opening a new coal-fired power plant under his administration would be prohibitively expensive,” said Pearce. “The Administration made it abundantly clear that a ‘war on coal’ is in the cards during this second term, and this new rule from the EPA is in line with this anti-consumer mentality. Just this week, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy admitted before the House Energy and Commerce Committee that it is ‘unlikely’ that the President’s economically destructive regulations would have ‘a visible impact’ on climate change. This Administration is more concerned with appeasing radical special interests than creating jobs or reigning in energy costs. This President has made it his priority to drive up energy prices through rules like this, continuing to wage his war on the poor. The President’s and EPA’s actions are shameful, but not surprising.”

“This over-reaching regulation would prohibit any new coal-fired energy source in this country,” added Lummis. “The result is higher energy costs for the hardworking Americans who are already struggling in these difficult times, and it will destroy valuable American jobs, especially in Wyoming.  And what do we get in return for this attack on our way of life?  A big fat zero.  President Obama can offer no proof of weather or climate impacts from his rule, he will not make a dent in global carbon output, and he will not reduce the use of coal around the world.  Make no mistake, with this proposal, the President is making plain that he is willing to sacrifice lower income Americans for nothing but a flight of fancy.”