EPA Rules Lead to Shutdowns in Ohio
BOWLING GREEN – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) issued the following statement after Columbus-based American Electric Power (AEP) announced Thursday it would close and downsize three plants in Ohio at a loss of 157 jobs, to comply with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new coal-fire plant regulations:“This is a perfect example of the EPA’s assault on American business and the economy. The cost of complying with burdensome regulations will cause higher electricity bills and fewer jobs in America. Time and time again, I, along with other members of the Energy and Commerce Committee, have said that overreaching regulations and stringent timetables for compliance are a deterrent to job growth and energy stability.
“The EPA must come to terms with the fact that their overly broad one-size-fits-all regulations hurt companies. The EPA should set up amechanism by which states can apply for regulatory waivers, giving states the flexibility to determine their business and environmental priorities.”
AEP expects EPA regulations to cause a net loss of approximately 600 power plant jobs with annual wages totaling approximately $40 million.
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Friday, June 10, 2011
EPA rules lead to loss of 157 Ohio jobs now with more to come
Press Release from Rep. Bob Latta:
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1 comment:
The loss of 157 jobs from AEP or any other electric power utility does not trouble me in the slightest. I'd cheerfully lose twice that number and call it a good beginning.
Utility companies have a monopoly, and like all monopolies this industry cannot be overly regulated, but especially so when it comes to the environment. As much as I am against government intervention and regulation, this is one area that I believe the government not only needs to regulate but to also impose criminal penalties for violation of regulations - fining a utility accomplishes nothing as the consumers must pay for the fine, but throw a plant manager in prison for a few years and watch the rest of the industry fall into line.
In plain speak, we manufacture enough electricity and will continue to do so. I'd rather have clean air and water than those 157 jobs.
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