WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), who is a member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), applauded the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to hold a public hearing in Charleston on the proposed repeal of the Clean Power Plan.
At the hearing on November 28-29, EPA will hear directly from members of affected communities about the economic and employment impacts of the Clean Power Plan.
“After years of being ignored by the Obama administration, West Virginians are finally going to be heard. Later this month, the EPA will visit West Virginia, where so many have been directly impacted by the harmful and burdensome Clean Power Plan. Our coal miners, their families and entire communities will soon have a chance to share how they have been affected by these far-reaching regulations. I appreciate the Trump administration’s commitment to creating and preserving energy jobs,” said Senator Capito.
BACKGROUND:
After issuing multiple invitations to visit West Virginia, Senator Capito asked then-EPA Acting Assistant Administrator Janet McCabe why West Virginia was not included as a public hearing location. Administrator McCabe responded that locations were chosen based on “where people were comfortable coming.” To view video of this exchange, click here.
Regulations in the Obama administration’s Clean Power Plan would prevent construction of new coal plants and require most existing plants to close in the coming years. In 2015, Senator Capito introduced a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (S.J. Res. 24) to block the plan. While the Senate and the House of Representative passed Senator Capito’s resolution, President Obama vetoed it. In March of this year, Senator Capito joined President Donald Trump for the Energy Independence Executive Order signing at the EPA.
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