House Energy and Commerce Democratic Leadership Request Justification Behind Environmental Protection Agency’s Latest Regulatory Rollbacks

Following up on Capitol Update’s earlier report of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to reinstate a policy decreasing the number of power plants required to undergo New Source Review, leading members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce have written a letter to Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler expressing their concern and requesting further explanation. “EPA has engaged in the systematic dismantling of critical climate initiatives and public health protections,” they note. “Furthermore, EPA continues to champion policies that would result in massive increases in greenhouse gas emissions with no regard for the associated climate or public health impacts.”

The letter was signed by Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-NJ); Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Ranking Member Diana DeGette (D-CO); and Subcommittee on Environment Ranking Member Paul Tonko (D-NY). In addition to sharing their concerns, the members request Acting Administrator Wheeler provide them with a swathe of documents and information pertaining to specific regulations that show the analysis and thought process behind the regulatory decisions made to date.

The letter requests answers to all queries, along with the necessary documents no later than December 4.

To view the letter in full, click here: https://democrats-energycommerce.house.gov/sites/democrats.energycommerce.house.gov/files/documents/EPA.2018.11.20.%20Letter%20re%20Climate%20Change.%20EE.OI_.pdf