In a press release issued Thursday, Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., co-founder of the Congressional Coal Caucus, expressed disappointment and frustration that American Electric Power will be forced to cut jobs and decrease production in order to comply with a series of regulations proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that would impact coal-fueled power plants.
“This is a perfect example of the EPA implementing rules and regulations without considering the devastating impact they may have on local economies and jobs. Just this past week the EPA fired back and said the agency does run economic analysis when issuing new rules. In this instance, either the EPA did not run proper analysis or the administration knew these rules would cost jobs and increase utility costs and still went ahead anyway. Either way, this is unacceptable,” stated Capito.
Capito is drafting a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson asking to see documentation that cumulative economic impact and jobs were considered when the EPA issued new regulations impacting coal-fueled power plants over the past year.
According to a release, AEP will permanently retire 11 coal-fueled power plants, three located in West Virginia, as a result of new regulations levied by the EPA. AEP also reports that West Virginians may see rate increases between 10 and 15 percent.
“With near double-digit unemployment and the start of summer around the corner, the EPA’s new rules will cost hundreds of good-paying West Virginia jobs and lead to higher utility costs across the board. Energy companies like AEP should be encouraged to grow and invest instead of using resources and money to comply with agenda-driven rules,” stated Capito.