WASHINGTON, D.C. – Karen Harbert, president and CEO of U.S. Chamber’s Institute for 21st Century Energy, today issued the following statement regarding a decision by the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to vacate the Environmental Protection Agency’s Cross-State Air Pollution Rule:
“Today’s decision is good news for consumers and for the reliability of our electricity grid. It is notable that for the second time in two weeks, federal circuit courts have affirmed the primary responsibility of states—not the EPA—in determining how to meet air quality standards under the Clean Air Act.
“It has always been the contention of the Chamber that EPA regulations should be supported by sound science and accurate analysis. The EPA has habitually inflated the benefits and underestimated the costs of its regulations.
“Vacating this rule relieves utilities from unrealistic timelines and unjustified standards for compliance, at least from this particular rule. However, utilities still must comply with unreasonable timelines on the Utility MACT rule, which is also undergoing judicial review. A recent Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regional electricity auction saw capacity prices increase by eight-times as much as today for 2016, the first year that utilities must comply with Utility-MACT.
“With today’s ruling, we call on the Obama Administration to heed these judicial rulings and re-craft sensible regulations that don’t jeopardize economic growth or electricity reliability.”
The mission of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute for 21st Century Energy is to unify policymakers, regulators, business leaders, and the American public behind a common sense energy strategy to help keep America secure, prosperous, and clean. Through policy development, education, and advocacy, the Institute is building support for meaningful action at the local, state, national, and international levels.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.