Matt Dempsey Matt_Dempsey@epw.senate.gov (202) 224-9797

Katie Brown Katie_Brown@epw.senate.gov (202) 224-2160          

Inhofe Statement on EPA Utility MACT Rule Delay

Washington D.C. - Senator James Inhofe (R-OK.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, today commented on the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) announcement that it has extended the timeline for public input by 30 days on the proposed Utility MACT rule. The EPA also announced, however, that the Agency will not alter the November 2011 deadline for issuing final standards. 

"Today's announcement by EPA is not at all surprising considering the bipartisan concern regarding the Utility MACT rule," Senator Inhofe said.  "Of course the public needs more time to review the rule.  As the author of the Clean Air Act amendments, Representative Dingell, recently stated, this rule is 'unparalleled in its size and scope' and it 'presents a set of new regulations with possible wide-reaching impacts on the way our country generates and consumes electricity.'

"Even EPA recognizes that the Utility MACT rule will result in a significant number of plant closures and increased electricity rates, making it one of the most expensive rules in the Agency's history.  Along with the ‘transport rule,' Utility MACT is projected to cause nearly 1.4 million job losses. 

"The EPA has a long way to go to fix this debacle.  I hope that the extended comment period will shed additional light on the high costs of this rule and that the Agency will reconsider its final rulemaking accordingly." 

Background:

In May, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI), Energy and Power Subcommittee Chairman Ed Whitfield (R-KY), and Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Ranking Member James M. Inhofe (R-OK) sent a letter to the Obama administration urging additional time for public comment on the proposed Utility MACT rule. (Link)

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