Congressman: High court ruling a good start toward reining in EPA

U.S. Rep. Tom Marino (R-PA) issued a statement on Tuesday in response to the Supreme Court’s decision against the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) rule, calling it a launching point rather than an ultimate victory.

“In the end, this ruling provides a welcome rebuke of an out-of-control EPA,” Marino said. “But it is only superficial progress because the EPA’s Mercury and Air Toxics Standards rule will remain in place for now. The ultimate fate of this rule remains unclear, but it is inarguably burdensome and costly to energy companies throughout Pennsylvania. The EPA itself admitted that MATS would impose nearly $10 billion in regulatory-compliance costs each year on power plants across the country.”

While the ruling has been celebrated by many in Congress, Marino said the coal industry is still being attacked, even as it represents an important piece of Pennsylvania’s economy, and that of other coal-producing states.

“We must use this decision as a launching point to restore balance and refocus our efforts on creating jobs within the energy sector without unnecessary and self-imposed regulations. That is where my focus will remain -- in reforming our dysfunctional regulatory framework.”