Texas Insider Report: Washington, DC – Rep. Pete Olson (TX-22) today issued the following statement opposing new regulations issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that, if implemented, will make construction of coal fired electricity in the United States virtually impossible:
“In releasing an unachievable standard for new coal power today, President Obama continues a dangerous assault on the pocketbook and living standards of American families by threatening reliable power for American consumers. Under the Obama Administration, energy production – and coal in particular – has faced a tsunami of new environmental rules. While protecting our air and water is critical, EPA has gone well above the reasonable standards required by Congress and the courts.
“This attack tremendously strains our ability to provide both affordable and reliable power for consumers who desperately need heat in the winter and air conditioning in the summer. The poor, children and elderly are the most vulnerable to these power shortages. These dangerous rules have helped close down numerous power plants across the country, while economically devastating the American mining industry. At a time when America’s carbon emissions are already dramatically declining, high energy costs, more unemployed workers and the threat of rolling blackouts are not acceptable tradeoffs for undetermined air quality benefits.
“We need an affordable baseload of power like coal, nuclear and gas to ensure Americans get the power they need. The President needs to support Americans, not vague notions. America cannot afford this continued assault that jeopardizes 40% of our nation’s electricity. As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, I will continue to fight to maintain affordable and reliable energy for all consumers.”
