Press Releases

Representative Larry Bucshon (R – Ind.) released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 1582, the Energy Consumers Relief Act.  H.R. 1582 would require greater review for the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) energy-related regulations exceeding a cost of $1 billion. The bill would ensure greater transparency and interagency review of EPA’s billion-dollar energy rules and prohibit EPA from finalizing certain rules if the Secretary of Energy determines the rule would cause significant adverse effects to the economy.

Representative Bucshon (IN-08) said:

“Federal regulations from the EPA can often unnecessarily be an obstacle for the energy industry, which has been a valuable source of Hoosier jobs.  As a physician, I believe certain regulations are beneficial; however, the Administration often uses radical ideology, not sound science as a basis for energy policy.  This bill will ensure that costly EPA regulations are appropriately subjected to a transparent review that will protect jobs and prevent energy costs from rising.”

H.R. 1582, will require that before EPA finalizes any new energy-related rules estimated to cost more than $1 billion, the agency must submit a report to Congress detailing certain cost, energy price, and job impacts. The Secretary of Energy, in consultation with other relevant agencies, must also make certain additional determinations relating to the rule.

What H.R. 1582 will accomplish:

• Provide greater transparency for EPA’s billion-dollar energy-related rules.
• Protect consumers from higher energy costs for gasoline and electricity.
• Promote economic and job growth by protecting against rising energy costs.
• Ensure the Secretary of Energy has a significant role for rules affecting national energy policy.

The EPA’s list of Billion-Dollar rules is long and growing.

Last week, Bucshon voted for H.R. 2218, The Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act of 2013, a bill to replace the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) to regulate coal ash as a hazardous waste with a state-based program that sets enforceable standards protecting thousands of jobs and preventing the increase of electricity and construction costs.

The 8th District of Indiana, which Bucshon represents, is home to every coal mine located in the state of Indiana.

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