Inhofe: New NERA report shows clean power plan is ‘all pain for no gain’

U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman, further criticized the Clean Power Plan on Monday, using new data from a National Economic Research Associates (NERA) report that shows a high likelihood of increased energy rates.

“NERA's analysis of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Power Plan highlights that the president's carbon mandate is all pain for no gain,” Inhofe said. “It comes as no surprise that the EPA’s Power Plan is the most expensive rule the agency has ever written for power plants, yet this mandate will have no measurable impact on global warming.”

According to Inhofe, the report shows that the plan could cost $292 billion and increase energy rates, which will be in the double digits in 40 states. The report also suggests that these prices will not lead to significant environmental benefits.

“Even under the final rule, the EPA’s Power Plan will still only reduce atmospheric CO2 concentrations by 0.2 percent by 2100 and reduce sea level rise by the thickness of two sheets of paper, which will be rendered completely pointless by continued emissions growth in China and India,” Inhofe said. “Americans do not deserve to foot the bill of this costly and burdensome mandate meant to solidify the president's legacy on climate change.”