Smith: EPA's Clean Power Plan 'all pain and no gain' for U.S. economy

The House Subcommittee on the Environment, under the Committee on Science, Space and Technology, held a hearing this week on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) final Clean Power Plan, which could be implemented as soon as October.

The rule has been criticized by some states and industry groups, since the release of its initial draft, due to the potential economic effects it will have on states that use large amounts of fossil-fuel energy.

“It is well-documented that the final plan will shut down power plants across the country, increase electricity prices and cost thousands of Americans their jobs,” U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX), chairman of the Science, Space and Technology Committee, said. “My home state of Texas would be one of the hardest hit. The state would be forced to close affordable coal-fired power plants, which also provide reliable electricity during peak usage times in the summer. This rule represents massive costs without significant benefits. In other words, it’s all pain and no gain.”

Testimony at today’s hearing included input from Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Chairman Bryan Shaw, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Director Craig Butler and Oregon Public Utility Commission Program Director Jason Eisdorfer.