WV Business Leaders Denounce EPA Emission Rules

WV Business Leaders Denounce EPA Emission Rules

Requests Gov. Tomblin to reject Clean Power Plan

CHARLESTON, WV – The Obama Administration’s announced adoption today of a revised and even more stringent Clean Power Plan will further speed the erosion of West Virginia’s economy and lead to higher electric bills for state consumers and businesses, representatives of the West Virginia Business & Industry Council announced today.

“I equate the Clean Power Plan to a runaway train, wrecking everything in its path, to include our state’s fragile economy,” said Chris Hamilton, chairman of the West Virginia Business & Industry Council.

“In West Virginia, we’ve already seen the closure or announced closure of multiple coal-fired power plants and the hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs these facilities employ. This doesn’t account for the many coal mining jobs that will be lost due to the decreased use of coal to create low-cost electricity,” Hamilton said.

Studies project that typical household electric bills will be one-third higher in 2020 compared to 2012 under this scheme. More than 40 states will face double-digit increases in the cost of electricity. About half of all American households pay close to 20 percent of disposable income on energy-related expenses.

“The West Virginia Business & Industry Council requests Governor Tomblin to reject the Clean Power Plan and continue working to protect West Virginia consumers, and our economy, from this regulatory power-grab,” Hamilton said.

The West Virginia Business & Industry Council is comprised of more than 60 West Virginia trade associations and businesses representing more than 395,000 employees across the state.

For additional information, contact Chris Hamilton at (304) 342-4153.