05.17.24

Hoeven, Armstrong Lead Bicameral Legislation to Block Biden EPA Mats Rule

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Congressman Kelly Armstrong today introduced bicameral legislation to block the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from implementing its new Mercury and Air Toxic Standards (MATS) rule. The Biden administration’s MATS rule imposes costly and overly-stringent Obama-era regulations on coal-fired electric power plants that will force power plants to close, jeopardizing grid reliability and raising costs for American families. Hoeven is leading the Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval in the Senate and Armstrong is leading the CRA in the House of Representatives. The resolution can be passed by a simple majority in both the House and the Senate.

When first advanced in 2012, the MATS rule contributed to the closure of numerous power plants before being struck down by the Supreme Court in 2015. The Biden administration revived the MATS rule utilizing the same unreasonable cost justification that was rejected by the Supreme Court. The regulations would replace the existing cost-effective standards, which have already been found to protect human health and safety and were put into place under the Trump administration following an eight-year technology review.  

“The Biden administration’s new MATS rule threatens access to reliable and affordable baseload power provided by our coal-fired power plants. Instead of empowering new technology and innovation to keep our lignite industry going, the Biden administration has revived an unworkable and costly MATS rule, based on an Obama-era rule that has already been rejected by the Supreme Court,” said Senator Hoeven. “We are leading this resolution to stop the Biden administration’s MATS rule and ensure we are able utilize all of our nation’s abundant energy resources with good environmental stewardship, including our coal, oil and gas reserves.”

“Coal is the largest source of electricity for our state,” said Rep. Armstrong. “The Biden Administration’s attack on coal makes it impossible for providers of electrical and power sources to have a reliable and consistent grid from all necessary sources of energy. Weather has consequences in North Dakota, and the EPA should prioritize health and safety standards and ensure that North Dakotans can stay warm at 70 degrees or below. I am proud to partner with Senator Hoeven as we work to undo the Biden administration’s shortsighted rule.”

Hoeven’s resolution is being cosponsored by Senators Steve Daines, Marsha Blackburn, Shelley Moore Capito, John Barrasso, Cynthia Lummis, Kevin Cramer, Roger Wicker, Mike Lee, Markwayne Mullin and Cindy Hyde-Smith. Armstrong’s resolution is being cosponsored by Representatives Ryan Zinke, Troy Balderson, Greg Pence, Morgan Griffith, Randy Weber, Mary Miller, Brett Guthrie, Glenn Grothman, Cliff Bentz and John Moolenaar.

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