Press Releases

Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement regarding passage of H. Res. 501, a resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that any final measure to extend the payroll tax holiday should also include a provision requiring the drafting of new regulations for boilers that are achievable and cost-effective.  Congressman Griffith’s EPA Regulatory Relief Act (H.R. 2250) would provide a legislative fix for the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Boiler Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) rules.

“I support the inclusion of the Boiler MACT provisions in any final payroll tax holiday agreement. The House has now voiced their support of the Boiler MACT legislation three times – bipartisan passage of H.R. 2250 in October, passage of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act (H.R. 3630) last week, and by this resolution. The House has made clear that a legislative fix is necessary to protect valuable American jobs. 

“Some may believe that the EPA’s Boiler MACT rules apply only to big businesses, but in reality they impact businesses of all sizes, colleges, universities, and hospitals – approximately 200,000 boilers nationwide.  Providing three years to comply with these complex rules is unreasonable.  There are also serious questions about technological achievability with the rules. These rules may not be workable with present day technology.  By one estimate, the Boiler MACT rules could put more than 200,000 American jobs at risk. 

“While I am hopeful that a Boiler MACT fix will be included, no matter the final contents of the payroll tax holiday package, the Senate still has an opportunity to act on H.R. 2250. I encourage them to pass H.R. 2250 and bring boiler owners and workers regulatory certainty in the New Year.”

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