The American economy is literally energized by one of the world’s most complex and efficient machines – the nation’s electrical grid and its associated power plants. Since Edison and the 1880’s, this interconnected grid has operated best through close-to-the-customer oversight at the state level.
[bq]The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is looking to federalize our nation’s energy policy through the burdensome “Clean Power Plan”.[/bq]
The undersigned group of citizens, elected officials and regulators say again to U.S. EPA that their extremely burdensome regulation without due consideration of customers should be cause for concern.
Last summer in response to the draft “Clean Power Plan”, hundreds of leaders with diverse backgrounds across the nation came together to tell U.S. EPA that the “Plan” should:
- Consider customer costs;
- Preserve fuel options;
- Maintain electric grid reliability and;
- Respect states-rights and their unique circumstances.
To the first point, the U.S. Supreme Court recently reprimanded U.S. EPA for not including consumer costs in their evaluation of other regulations. It appears EPA didn’t get the message.
Consumers across the country call for a retooling of the “Plan” that gives credit for the significant emissions reductions America has already accomplished, provides realistic timelines for compliance, thoughtfully considers impacts on consumers, and pays deference to states’ authority to make energy decisions in the ultimate interest of consumers and ratepayers.
To avoid production and planning uncertainty related to our nation’s vital energy infrastructure, EPA should reconsider its “Plan” in light of all the ongoing court proceedings and the legitimate concerns raised by bipartisan policymakers, non-partisan regulators, and the consumers they serve. Jobs, reliability and consumers of energy across the nation depend on this relief.
Alaska Senator Cathy Giessel
Atlanta Metro Chamber
Al Henley, (retired) President of Alabama AFL-CIO
Consumer Energy Alliance
Georgia Public Service Commission, Chairman Chuck Eaton
Georgia Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols
Georgia Rep. Chuck Martin
Georgia Agribusiness Council
Georgia Chamber of Commerce
IBEW Local Union 111
IBEW Local Union 5
Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
Manufacture Alabama
North Dakota Rep. Bob Skarphol
Ohio Rep. Mike Dovilla
Mayor Ray Beck, Craig, CO
Operating Engineers Local 66
Partnership for Affordable Clean Energy (PACE)
Pennsylvania Senator Pat Stefano
Pennsylvania Camera Bartolotta
Pennsylvania Rep. Bill Kortz
Pennsylvania Coal Alliance
Utah Rep. Steve Handy
Wyoming Sen. Drew Perkins
