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U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith says high energy prices are stalling an economic recovery.

Tuesday night, Griffith, R-9th, speaking at a town hall meeting in Covington, called for an easing of government regulations to make energy more affordable to consumers and businesses.

"With a dependable work force and cheap, affordable energy, we can compete with any country in this world," he said.

Tuesday's meeting at the Charles P. Jones Memorial Library in Covington was sponsored by Americans for Prosperity, a Washington, D.C.-based political advocacy group. According to literature made available at Tuesday's meeting, the group promotes economic policies that supports business and limits regulations by government. Americans for Prosperity was a major supporter of Republican candidates in the 2010 elections.

Griffith says that government environmental regulations are bringing job losses to the 9th District, which includes the Alleghany Highlands and much of southwest Virginia.

Griffith noted that a coal-burning power plant operated by American Electric Power in Giles County may shut down by the end of 2014 due to new clean-air requirements.

Griffith says that AEP has publicly stated that if the Giles plant and others close or undergo modifications to meet proposed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations, customers in Virginia could end up paying 10 percent to 15 percent more on their monthly utility bills.

The median household income in the district is $35,000, Griffith said.

In March, the EPA says it plans for the first time to impose national limits on coal-fired power plants. The EPA says the measures would cut air pollution enough to save 17,000 lives a year. AEP says that if the proposed EPA regulations take effect, the company would have to spend $6 billion to $8 billion over the next decade to meet the standards. In addition, AEP says that 600 power plant jobs could be lost across its service area.

"There ought to be a balance against the benefit of health concerns, which are legitimate, versus the number of jobs lost," Griffith said.

Griffith has introduced legislation in Congress known as the "EPA Regulatory Relief Act." He says the bill is designed to direct the EPA to development achievable standards for boilers, process heaters and incinerators.

The bill also extends compliance deadlines by 15 months to aid facilities in compliance.

"The goal of the EPA Regulatory Relief Act is straightforward," Griffith said. "Give the EPA the time they need to get the rules right while protecting jobs."

Jim Taylor, team leader for environmental shared business support at MeadWestvaco, said the EPA standards, more commonly known as Boiler MACT rules, could impact the corporation's Covington mill.

"Boiler MACT is a key issue for our business," Taylor said.

MeadWestvaco announced Monday that it will spend $285 million to construct a biomass boiler and upgrade the power system at the Covington mill. Taylor says the investment signifies that the corporation is committed to maintaining its operations in the Highlands.

"The sustainability of the mill is no longer in question with the addition of this boiler, whereas it would have been six months ago," Taylor said.

Also present for Tuesday night's meeting, was Del. Ben Cline, R-Rockingham County. Cline is vice chairman for Americans for Prosperity's western region in Virginia. His 24th House District will include Bath County when newly carved legislative districts take effect in 2012.

Cline, who announced his campaign for re-election last week, joined Griffith in advocating offshore energy exploration in Virginia. He also called for the U.S. to evaluate all forms of energy to its dependence of foreign oil.

"Let's bring it all in, and hopefully, that will bring lower energy costs to all of Virginia," he said.

Griffith said high energy costs are exacerbating the nation's growing $14.3 trillion deficit by limiting economic growth. He says an easement of government regulations would allow business to free up capital to invest in alternative forms of energy.

"This should be done the good, old-fashioned way in the free market using private investments," he said. "I do not believe in using tax credits."

Tax credits, he said, would add to the federal deficit.

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