EPA / Greenhouse Gas Emissions Rules

The Environmental and Regulatory Affairs Committee is in the process of discussing joining a coalition/alliance to oppose EPA’s first ever proposed carbon pollution standards for new power plants as well as its expected proposed standards for existing power plants.

On January 9, 2014, Senator Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.) and Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.) introduced the bipartisan and NSBA-supported Electricity Security and Affordability Act (S. 1905; H.R. 3826), which would help rein in EPA’s authority to regulate carbon emissions from new and existing power plants.

On January 28, 2014, H.R. 3826 was favorably reported out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee by a margin of 29-19. Passage of this legislation remains a possibility in the House, but the same cannot be said for the Senate where the bill remains stuck in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. NSBA staff will continue to keep members posted on any developments.