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Senate Western Caucus

The Senate Western Caucus (SWC) is made up of Senators from Western and rural states who are committed to upholding the fundamental principles of the West. Western Republicans on both sides of Capitol Hill are unified behind a Western approach to solving America's problems.

Senate Western Caucus Membership

Senator John Barrasso (R-WY)
Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO)
Senator John Boozman (R-AR)
Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK)
Senator John Cornyn (R-TX)
Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID)
Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY)
Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT)
Senator Dean Heller (R-NV)
Senator John Hoeven (R-ND)
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX)
Senator Mike Johanns (R-NE)
Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ)
Senator Mike Lee (R-UT)
Senator John McCain (R-AZ)
Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS)
Senator Jim Risch (R-ID)
Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS)
Senator John Thune (R-SD)
Senator David Vitter (R-LA)
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Barrasso: New EPA Rule Makes Economy Worse

EPA announces new job-crushing rule


July 7, 2011


WASHINGTON –Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety, released the following statement regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement of the job-crushing Interstate Transport Rule:

“This Administration proves time and time again that they just don’t understand how its actions crush jobs across the country.  Today’s economically devastating rule is just the latest strike in the Administration’s ongoing war against traditional sources of American energy.  The Interstate Transport Rule is another clear demonstration that the Obama Administration continues to make the economy worse. 

“Picking winners and losers in the economy never helps American families.  At a time of 9.1% unemployment we cannot afford to lose additional jobs and burden American families with higher energy costs.  It’s time for the Administration to focus on growing the economy, not the EPA.”

Background:

The Clean Air Interstate Transport Rule sets state emission budgets for Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) and Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), which primarily come from coal fired power plants.  According to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, the rule could force the premature retirement of more than 86 coal fired power plants by 2015.  This would result in the loss of thousands of jobs across the country. 

According to a National Economic Research Associates recent study, EPA’s Clean Air Interstate Rule, along with the Clean Air Mercury Rule (Utility MACT) would result in:

  • $184 billion in costs to power providers and consumers
  • 1.44 million lost jobs

Senator Barrasso is the Chairman of the Senate Western Caucus. 

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July 2011 Senate Western Caucus