Press Releases

Reps Bucshon (R-IN) and Shimkus (R-IL) tour Sunrise Coal in Sullivan County.
 

Rep. Larry Bucshon, a physician from Southern Indiana, signed on to a bipartisan proposal to block the EPA’s new regulations on existing power plants that will increase energy prices and put Hoosier jobs at risk.

Dr. Bucshon stated:

"The President and his EPA have waged a war on coal that will undoubtedly put Hoosier jobs and affordable energy for families at risk.  Over 80 percent of our state’s energy is coal-generated and every Hoosier coal mine is located in the Eighth Congressional District.  The stakes are high and I refuse to just sit by as this Administration attempts to dismantle the coal industry.

“I’m proud to sign on as an original cosponsor to a bipartisan bill that will stop the EPA’s overreach with their new, arbitrary proposal. This bill will help protect our coal industry, the workers who depend on it for employment, affordable energy for families, and the competitiveness of our businesses and manufacturers.”

H.R. 4813, introduced by Reps. Nick Rahall (D-WV) and David McKinley (R-WV), would end the new rule for existing power plants and the proposed rule for future power plants.  The bills also puts in place measures to prevent similar EPA overreaches in the future.

BACKGROUND:

Immediately following the EPA’s announcement last week, Dr. Bucshon released a statement opposing the proposal.

An Indiana newspaper responded to the EPA’s new proposal that, "these strict new standards would clobber consumers with higher electric bills." Sunrise Coal in Sullivan County echoed similar concerns.

The WSJ explained also argued that the rule is “a huge tax on the poor and middle class” and would create a “carbon-income inequality.”

In 2008, President Obama claimed that electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket for hardworking Americans.