Press Releases

Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement today after learning that a number of states have joined together to ask the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for an immediate stay of its Clean Power Plan as legal proceedings continue in the courts.  Unfortunately, the Commonwealth of Virginia is not among the states requesting a stay.

“I am appreciative of the work being undertaken by those states and individuals – including West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, who has been a leader in this fight – to bring implementation of the Clean Power Plan to a halt as lawsuits against this misguided plan proceed.  Further, I am pleased we are approaching this objective from two sides, the legal side and the legislative side.  I call on Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine as well was West Virginia Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito to join us in supporting the Ratepayer Protection Act and fighting for Appalachia.  Senator Capito has related legislation (S.1324) pending in the Senate cosponsored by Senator Manchin which also would help with this fight.”

The Obama Administration this week announced it is finalizing its Clean Power Plan to regulate carbon dioxide from new and existing power plants, despite lawsuits arguing that the EPA is acting outside its authority in seeking to regulate existing power plants under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act because the EPA already regulates them under Section 112.

Griffith joined Energy and Power Subcommittee Chairman Ed Whitfield (R-KY), Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-GA), and Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN) in introducing the Ratepayer Protection Act (H.R. 2042), which has earned the support of the United Mine Workers of America.  Among other things, this bill would allow for completion of judicial review of any final rule in the Clean Power Plan before states are required to comply with its implementation.  Additionally, states would not be forced to implement a state or federal plan if its governor has determined it would significantly harm energy reliability or affordability.  The Ratepayer Protection Act passed the House of Representatives on June 24, 2015.

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