NTU urges all Representatives to vote “YES” on H.R. 1582, the “Energy Consumers Relief Act of 2013.” This legislation would increase legislative control and accountability over Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulatory policy.
H.R. 1582 does so by ensuring that any new energy-related EPA rule having an estimated cost (direct or indirect) of more than $1 billion will trigger a more deliberative economic review prior to finalization. Additional oversight would be a much-needed braking mechanism on a federal regulatory body that regularly hands down burdensome edicts. Such rules can raise energy bills for consumers and harm industries caught in EPA’s crosshairs, while exacting a heavy toll on the economy when we can least afford it.
NTU urges all Representatives to vote “YES” on H.R. 2218, the “Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act of 2013.” This legislation empowers states to be the primary regulators of coal ash residuals, preventing EPA’s designation of these substances as “hazardous waste.”
By ensuring sensible rules are established for the safe disposal and management of coal ash, H.R. 2218 alleviates the regulatory uncertainty currently facing the coal-power industry. Further undermining coal-fired electricity production and the coal industry broadly by imposing a harsh new regime of costly regulations will increase costs for consumers and threaten jobs. H.R. 2218 gives each state and its citizens the opportunity to determine the proper regulatory balance, with an eye toward health and economic effects.
Roll call votes on H.R. 1582 and H.R. 2218 will be included in our annual Rating of Congress and a “YES” vote will be considered the pro- taxpayer position.
If you have any questions, please contact NTU Federal Affairs Manager Nan Swift at (703) 683-5700