Graves Votes to Protect Americans from Costly EPA Regulations

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives, with the support of Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06), today passed the Energy Consumers Relief Act (H.R. 1582). This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to submit a report to Congress, for each energy-related rule pegged at $1 billion or more, detailing the impact on jobs and energy prices for American consumers, among other criteria. Additionally, the EPA would be prohibited from finalizing any such rule the Secretary of Energy determines would "cause significant adverse effects to the economy."

"The EPA has arguably been the worst offender when it comes to proposing burdensome, job-killing regulations," said Congressman Graves, who serves as Chairman of the House Small Business Committee. "In fact, the EPA has more significant regulatory actions currently under review by the White House's Office of Management and Budget than any other federal agency. These regulations collectively have a devastating impact on national energy costs for families and businesses, as well as the overall U.S. economy. The federal government needs to do a better job of writing regulations that outline important environmental safeguards without sacrificing economic growth and American jobs."

Many Missourians are concerned about the EPA's actions in light of the president's recent announcement that the agency would be moving forward with expensive new greenhouse gas standards for both new and existing power plants.

"As a White House Climate Advisor recently admitted, the administration believes that ‘a war on coal is exactly what's needed.' And that's precisely what the EPA has in store. Nowhere will this wrongheaded policy hurt worse than Missouri, where we use coal to power 82% of our electricity, and at the same time enjoy some of the most reliable and affordable power in the nation. The president's proposal will raise electricity costs for Missouri families, and threaten good-paying jobs here and across the country," Graves concluded.

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