Robert Hurt votes for GOP bill kneecapping EPA

Congressman Robert Hurt (R-Virginia) released the following statement after voting in favor of the Ratepayer Protection Act, H.R. 2042, which would ensure that no states are required to implement a plan mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s carbon dioxide emission rule if it would have a negative effect on retail, commercial, or industrial electricity rates or the reliability of the state’s electricity system.

“Every day, burdensome EPA rules and regulations hinder job growth and continue to make life more difficult in Virginia’s Fifth District.  One such example is the Clean Power Plan, which comes with enormous costs to states and American consumers and will have serious negative effects on our struggling economy.  The American people should not be forced to comply with a Washington engineered plan that will unduly increase the cost of energy.

“This legislation will require a judicial review of this excessively burdensome scheme and protect states from being forced to implement a plan that would harm its energy affordability or reliability.  In doing so, it preserves the states’ responsibility for oversight of electricity systems and protects American consumers from increased energy costs.  It is a reasonable step to ensure that states will not be forced to endure unnecessary economic strains.  I am pleased that this legislation passed the House today with bipartisan support, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to prevent government overreach that will further harm our economy.”