Keep Coal as an Energy Resource

Floor Speech

Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, this week the House will consider two pieces of legislation that are vitally important to protect the jobs of thousands of West Virginians.

I rise as a proud cosponsor of the Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act and the Energy Consumers Relief Act.

The Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act will stop the EPA from implementing new coal ash regulations by empowering the States to create a permit program that meets their individual needs, while still providing environmental safeguards.

EPA's proposed regulation on coal ash would cost thousands of jobs and would increase electric bills for families and small businesses. It would also hinder the reuse of coal residuals, guaranteeing that more coal ash would end up in landfills instead of reused as concrete or cement.

The House will also consider the Energy Consumers Relief Act. This legislation requires that anytime EPA proposes a regulation that would cost more than $1 billion, that it is to be reviewed by other agencies, including the Department of Energy.

If the Secretary of Energy determines that a rule would have adverse effects on the economy, such as unemployment, wages, consumer prices, business and manufacturing activity, then the results must be made available to the public.

Thousands of workers have been laid off. We've got to get back to creating jobs in this country, and these two bills will do that.

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