Senate Leader Urges the DNR to Suspend Any Clean Power Plan Preparations After Supreme Court Decision
JEFFERSON CITY – Senate Leader Ron Richard, R-Joplin, said he is pleased the U.S. Supreme Court granted a stay of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) aggressive, job-destroying plan to limit carbon emissions and now asks the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to suspend preparations or plans of implementation.
“As legislators, we are the ones who should determine the right balance for Missourians, not the EPA,” said Richard. “DNR should now suspend any preparations of a state plan implementing the Clean Air Plan until the U.S. Supreme Court decides on the rule. We should not put added restrictions or burdens on Missouri businesses and consumers that could be considered unconstitutional.”
The EPA’s new rule included guidelines for states to follow including cutting carbon emissions from power plants by 30 percent by 2030. The agency’s strict timelines and milestones in the Clean Power Plan would cost billions to implement; estimates are at close to $6 billion through 2030. Costs would be passed onto consumers and businesses, take money out of the economy, and stall spending, innovation, investment, and job growth.
Appropriations Chairman, Sen. Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia, said he is satisfied with the Supreme Court’s decision.
“It is a positive step that the Supreme Court acknowledged that the administration’s ill-conceived attempt to radically alter power generation in the United States could have a devastating effect on Americans and our state and national economies,” said Schaefer. “The next step is to stop Washington bureaucrats’ dangerous attempts at this type of social engineering.”
Missouri is already a clean coal state, and the General Assembly has already taken steps to develop a Missouri focused plan.
“As members of the General Assembly, we will explore cleaner options and lower emissions without raising prices drastically on consumers,” said Commerce Chairman Ryan Silvey, R-Kansas City. “We can minimize the financial impact on our hard-working families and keep jobs in our state. We intend to focus on policies that stimulate economic growth and create more private sector jobs.”
For more on legislative action this year and past sessions, visit www.senate.mo.gov.
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Lauren Hieger, Senate Majority Caucus Communications Director
(573) 751-7266 – lauren.hieger@senate.mo.gov