Whitfield slams EPA's new rules on coal-fired power plant emissions

U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY), chairman of the House Energy and Power Subcommittee, held a hearing this week on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) cap and trade rules, stemming from the finalization of two rules and a proposed third rule to regulate carbon dioxide emissions.

“This EPA has become the political arm of the White House, issuing regulations by fiat,” Whitfield said. “I believe that this regulatory version of cap and trade is every bit as inflexible and unworkable as the legislative version that I voted against, and I might add that there are many reasons to question the legality of this unprecedented set of regulations.”

The EPA’s regulations, which were finalized on Aug. 3, regulate CO2 emissions from fossil-fuel-fired power plants and have been criticized by some states and industry groups because of their potential to impact electricity rates and reliability.

“Few, if any, of the concerns about the proposed existing source rule were addressed in the final version, and the reasons for the Ratepayer Protection Act are still applicable,” Whitfield said.

Whitfield has represented Kentucky's First District in the House since 1995. Born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, in 1943, Whitfield was educated at the University of Kentucky and serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee.