Dr. Boozman's Check-up
I’m very concerned about the EPA’s proposal to drive up the cost of electricity costs from existing power plants. That’s why I joined over 40 of my Senate colleagues in calling on President Obama to withdraw the recently announced EPA crack down.
"Our primary concern is that the rule as proposed will result in significant electricity rate increases and additional energy costs for consumers," we wrote in the letter to President Obama. "These costs will, as always, fall most heavily on the elderly, the poor, and those on fixed incomes. In addition, these costs will damage families, businesses, and local institutions such as hospitals and schools."
"This proposed rule continues your Administration's effort to ensure that American families and businesses will pay more for electricity, an important goal emphasized during your initial campaign for President, and suffer reduced reliability as well," the letter continues. "Removing coal as a power source from the generation portfolio - which is a direct and intended consequence of your administration's rule - unnecessarily reduces reliability and market flexibility while increasing costs."
I will continue to join efforts with other lawmakers to urge the President to reconsider this plan that hurts American families, businesses and jobs. Coal is the largest energy producer in Arkansas and this policy stands to have a big impact on our lives.
Here is what others are saying what these regulations mean for Arkansas:
“…the inevitable result will be the use of more expensive fuels, such as natural gas” - Duane Highley, president and CEO of Arkansas Electric Cooperatives Corp (“As The Dust Settles, Arkansas Stakeholders Sound Off On Obama EPA Guidelines” Talk Business)
“The biggest concern that I've got is the impact of the cost to customers” - Ron Bowen, general manager of Jonesboro City Water & Light (“CWL: Carbon regs will hit hard”, Jonesboro Sun)
“The cost of providing power to our citizens is a concern. If the costs rise because of these regulations, everyone will be concerned about just basic power to their houses. It’s inevitable” - Arkansas State Representative Prissy Hickerson (“Looking to Curb Carbon” Texarkana Gazette)
“The EPA standards can penalize a state like Arkansas” - Venita McCellon-Allen, president of SWEPCO (“Emissions goal bigger for state” Arkansas Democrat Gazette)
Related Files
- Carbon Emissions Proposal Letter - 41 Senators oppose GHG existing source - 20140603.pdf (778.8 KBs)