March 06, 2014

Manchin Applauds House Passage of Bill to Limit EPA Rules on Power Plants

Measure would protect Americans’ access to reliable and affordable electricity by ensuring standards are based on proven and commercially available technology

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) issued the following statement on the House passage of the Electricity Security and Affordability Act, a bicameral, bipartisan piece of legislation that he introduced with Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) and U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (KY-01). This bill addresses the EPA’s proposed greenhouse gas emission standards for new and existing coal-fired plants. The measure passed by a vote of 229-183.

“I could not be more pleased that my colleagues in the House voted to pass this critical piece of legislation, which will ensure reliable and affordable electricity for millions of Americans. It’s just common sense that regulations should be based on what is technologically possible, and unfortunately, what the EPA has proposed is simply unobtainable. With the EPA’s proposed standards, the stability of our electrical grid will be threatened and the price of electricity will rise dramatically, jeopardizing America’s economy and countless jobs without providing any real environmental benefit. This legislation will ensure that the EPA’s regulations are based on technology that is proven and commercially available, striking the proper balance between our environment and our economy. I thank Congressman Whitfield for his leadership in the House on this issue, and I urge my colleagues in the Senate to follow suit by passing this bill quickly.”

To review a fact sheet on the bipartisan Electricity Security and Affordability Act, please click here.

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