Twitter icon
Facebook icon
YouTube icon
RSS icon

Representative Bradley Byrne

Representing the 1st District of Alabama

Byrne: EPA Comment Period Should Be Extended

Sep 16, 2014
Press Release

Congressman Bradley Byrne (AL-1) recently organized a letter asking the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to extend the comment period on a proposed rule to tighten restrictions on carbon emissions from existing power plants. The letter was signed by all seven members of Alabama’s delegation in the House of Representatives.

The proposed EPA rule would require existing power plants to drastically reduce the amount of greenhouse gases they produce over a very short period of time, making compliance costly and complicated. The rule has already started to have an impact before even being finalized, with Alabama Power announcing the closure of several coal units in the state.

The EPA has allowed for a 120-day comment period, but Congressman Byrne believes that more time is needed to seek input regarding such a sweeping regulation that will have a serious effect on Alabama jobs and cost to consumers. The letter states that the Members of Congress “do not feel that stakeholders have been afforded adequate time to fully evaluate and comment on this complex and far-reaching proposed rule.”

Byrne said: “This regulation isn’t being put forward by the democratically elected Congress, but instead it’s being pushed through by federal regulators who aren’t accountable to the American people. There is no doubt this proposed regulation will cripple coal energy production, drive up costs for Alabama families, and put more Americans out of work.

“This letter simply asks EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy to step back and make sure all Americans have a chance to share their opinion. This regulation won’t just affect power companies and businesses, but it will have a real impact on a majority of Alabama families. Given the severity of the proposed rule, it only makes sense to allow more time for public comments.”

Issues: