Press Releases

Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement today regarding the EPA’s finalized Cross-State Air Pollution Rule. The rule requires 27 states in the eastern half of the United States to reduce sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from power plants. This rule impacts 3,642 electric generating units at 1,081 facilities: 

“Today’s release of the final Cross-State Air Pollution Rule is yet another attack on American jobs by the EPA. If the EPA’s purpose under the Obama Administration is to create uncertainty in the economy, kill jobs, and increase electricity rates, then mission accomplished.

“In Southwest Virginia, a number of jobs will be lost because of costly regulations on coal-fired power plants. It’s not just jobs at the power plant in Giles County that is slated to close or the plant in Russell County that will reduce production. This rule, compounded with other proposed EPA rules, could potentially increase electricity rates by 10-15 percent. With over 9 percent unemployment nationwide, increased costs will make it even harder for small businesses to keep the lights on and create jobs. By putting people out of work and increasing electric bills, I believe the EPA is actually harming the people they claim to help with this rule.

“Instead of regulations that stall our economic recovery, the EPA should focus on common sense policies that protect jobs and the environment while paving the path for economic growth and affordable energy. There should be a balance between environmental protections and the need for jobs. Clearly, the EPA’s sense of balance is off.”

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