Senate objects to EPA power regulations

Sen. James Lankford

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined with 47 Senators today to co-sponsor a resolution to disapprove of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed Clean Power Plan regulations for existing power sources.

Lankford spoke out against the Clean Power Plan in an energy speech on the floor of the Senate recently. He said, “It seems to be another day for the EPA to release massive regulations. People wonder why food costs more, products cost more and why energy costs more. I'll tell you why, this ever growing regulation on the basic cost of energy. It changes the cost of everything. 

"EPA stated they're not responsible for determining the benefits of climate change, just that it would happen as they put out their new Clean Power Plan, they said they didn't have to list or abide by the costs but they did determine the cost anyway. [Assuming their numbers correct and not, as usual, understated] $8.4 billion a year to the American consumer. That's $8.4 billion. On top of the energy regulations that already exist,” Senator Lankford added.

The resolution reads, “Providing for congressional disapproval of a rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to ‘‘Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units.” Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that Congress disapproves the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to ‘‘Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units,” and such rule shall have no force or effect.”

The resolution introduced by Senators Shelly More Capito (R-WV) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) is co-sponsored by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY.); Jim Inhofe (R-OK.), chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee; Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee; Lamar Alexander (R-TN.); John Barrasso (R-Y.); Roy Blunt (R-MO); John Boozman (R-AR); Bill Cassidy (R-LA); Dan Coats (R-IN); Thad Cochran (R-MS); Bob Corker (R-TN); John Cornyn (R-TX); Tom Cotton (R-AR); Mike Crapo (R-ID); Ted Cruz (R-TX); Steve Daines (R-MT); Mike Enzi (R-WY); Joni Ernst (R-IA); Deb Fischer (R-NE); Jeff Flake (R-FL); Lindsey Graham (R-SC); Chuck Grassley (R-IA); Orrin Hatch (R-UT); John Hoeven (R-ND); Johnny Isakson (R-GA); Ron Johnson (R-WI); Mike Lee (R-UT); Joe Manchin (D-WV); John McCain (R-AZ); Jerry Moran (R-KS); Rand Paul (R-KY); David Perdue (R-GA); Jim Risch (R-ID); Pat Roberts (R-KS); Mike Rounds (R-SD); Marco Rubio (R-FL); Ben Sasse (R-NE); Tim Scott (R-SC); Jeff Sessions (R-AL); Richard Shelby (R-AL); Dan Sullivan (R-AK); John Thune (R-SD); Thom Tillis (R-NC); Pat Toomey (R-PA); David Vitter (R-LA); and Roger Wicker (R-MS).

To view the full resolution, click here.