WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 26, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-05) released the following statement regarding H.R. 2042, the Ratepayer Protection Act, that passed the House today on a 247-180 vote. As background, in 2014 the EPA proposed a “Clean Power Plan” rule that requires each state to submit federally enforceable carbon dioxide goals for their electricity generation systems and increases Tennessee Valley utility costs by another 9.4% by 2020. The Ratepayer Protection Act blocks the EPA’s Clean Power Plan rule.
Congressman Brooks stated, “The EPA is misusing the Clean Air Act to force states to implement higher cost greenhouse gas emission standards without regard for the damage ensuing higher utility costs will have on strained American family budgets.”
Brooks continued,“Twelve states have sued the Obama Administration to stop the EPA’s costly power grab. The Ratepayer Protection Act gives the judicial system the time it needs to rule on these cases and prevent an out-of-control EPA from wreaking significant economic hardship on American families.”
Brooks concluded,“President Obama has stated he will likely veto the Ratepayer Protection Act, thus once again putting environmental extremism above the needs of American families. According to a recent government study, Obama’s proposed rule would increase electricity prices by approximately 9.4% by 2020 in the Tennessee Valley. The study also found that the cost of these regulations would cut America’s Gross Domestic Product. Hopefully, the Senate will help protect American families by quickly passing the Ratepayer Protection Act.”
