Collins Leads Resolution to Overturn EPA Rule Regulating Power Plant Discharges

Washington, D.C.—Today, Representative Mike Collins (R-Ga.) and Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) introduced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to overturn a new rule by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that would require power plants to adhere to stringent wastewater standards based on inadequate data and technology. 

Specifically, the EPA's new rule is a reversal from its effluent limitations guidelines and standards (ELGs) released in 2020 and lacks sufficient information to justify the new limits. 

The two co-leads issued the following statement upon introduction: 

Rep. Mike Collins said, "Millions of Americans depend on safe, reliable, and affordable electricity derived from coal. The Environmental Protection Agency's revision to technology-based wastewater standards sets unworkable and unattainable limits for coal-fired power plants and is another step in the Biden administration's war on American energy."

Rep. Brett Guthrie said, "I am proud to join Congressman Collins in opposing the Biden administration’s latest unnecessary mandate that will regulate coal powered generation out of existence. The Obama-Biden War on Coal blatantly ignores the importance coal and other fossil fuels play in helping to provide reliable and affordable sources of energy to American households. The EPA must undo these requirements which require unproven technologies and are simply not attainable for our coal fired plants across Kentucky and the nation. Nearly 70 percent of Kentucky’s electricity generation comes from coal – this rule fails to consider alternatives that could reliably and affordably replace this much needed electricity. We must continue to work to incorporate fossil fuels into America’s energy future, which will help play an important role in addressing expected increases in energy demand and keep the lights on for families across Kentucky and the country."

Background

Under the Clean Water Act, the EPA is required to set ELGs based on the "best available technology economically achievable." These ELGs set numeric limits for specific pollutants that are incorporated into permits awarded to power plants in order to regulate the discharges of these pollutants into U.S. waterways.

The EPA’s Power Plant Wastewater Proposal sets standards that are not currently technologically or economically achievable and would lead to the closure of power plants across the country. Plant closures would have a devastating impact on communities that rely on fossil fuels for energy and would put more pressure on an already strained electric grid. 

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