Roundtable Applauds Inhofe’s CRA Resolution of Disapproval of EPA Utility MACT Rule
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February 16, 2011
For Information: 1-800-410-1050
LAKEWOOD, CO -- The Western Business Roundtable today applauded Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK) for his action in filing a Congressional Review Act (CRA) Resolution of Disapproval regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Air Act Utility MACT Rule (“Utility MACT”). See Senator Inhofe's release here.
Utility MACT, finalized by EPA in December, 2011, and formally published in the Federal Register today, is directed at reducing mercury/other emissions from coal-fired power plants, through the setting of stringent emissions standards and the mandated use of certain so-called “maximum achievable control technology” (MACT).
“Utility MACT will have massive impacts on the nation’s economy and could negatively impact electricity reliability,” said Holly Propst, Executive Director of the Roundtable. “We are grateful for Senator Inhofe’s leadership on this issue and urge his Senate colleagues to join him in formally disapproving EPA’s action.”
Senator Inhofe’s filing of a CRA Resolution of Disapproval triggers a process of Congressional review of the rule. Under the CRA, a resolution needs 30 supporters to be placed on the Senate calendar. If a resolution receives a simple majority in both chambers and is signed by the President, it nullifies the designated regulation.
“Even using EPA’s own numbers, Utility MACT will erode the nation’s job base, increase electricity prices and cause the shut-down of a large number of base-load power plants,” notes Propst. “Congress is right to intervene to stop these draconian outcomes.”
The Roundtable has detailed its extensive legal, regulatory process, technical and economic concerns with Utility MACT to EPA. See those comments here.
The Roundtable is a coalition of corporations and organizations representing a broad cross-section of Western business sectors including, among others: manufacturing; mining; electric power generation/transmission/distribution; energy infrastructure development; energy supply exploration/development and transportation; energy services; and environmental engineering. The Roundtable works to defend the interests of the West and supports policies that encourage economic growth and opportunity, freedom of enterprise and a sound approach to conservation and environmental preservation.
The Utility MACT rule poses very real challenges for Western utility operations, many of which depend on the region’s abundant coal resources to power their facilities.
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