Contact:
Tracy Warren
Phone: (703) 907-5746
Mobile: (703) 517-3411

ARLINGTON, VA, March 4, 2010 — Today two bills were introduced to suspend the ability of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to use the Clean Air Act to regulate greenhouse gases from stationary sources for two years.

“We are pleased that Senator Jay Rockefeller and Representatives Rick Boucher, Nick Rahall and Alan Mollohan have introduced legislation to provide for this important time-out,” said Glenn English, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

“The Clean Air Act is the wrong tool to regulate carbon from stationary sources. We urge Congress to pass legislation to prevent that outcome as soon as possible” states English. “It is the responsibility of Congress to decide this issue, not the Environmental Protection Agency.”

“Today’s legislative action is a big step in the right direction on this matter, ensuring that this issue is decided by the people’s elected officials.”

English says electric cooperatives are encouraged by the introduction of a number of bills in the House and Senate which will prevent such regulation until Congress has resolved the issue. We understand additional proposals are under development as well, he noted.

“Electric cooperatives are focused on the affordability of the electric bills of our members as well as all other consumers” English said.