WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) say they will introduce a resolution of disapproval to stop the Environmental Protection Agency from moving forward with its proposed Clean Power Plan regulations.
Under the Congressional Review Act, Congress can overturn actions by a federal agency after a rule is formally publish and submitted to Congress. Capito and Heitkamp said they'll submit their resolution to stop the rule for existing power sources next week.
Their Friday announcement came hours after the publication of the Clean Power Plan in the Federal Register.
If the resolution is enacted into law, it would nullify the Clean Power Plan, including any portions of the regulations that already have gone into effect.
"It is my intent to pursue all available avenues for fighting back against the administration’s devastating assault on West Virginia’s energy industry," Capito said in a statement. "Too many Americans, jobs, families and communities have been negatively impacted by this administration’s overreaching regulations, and more pain will be felt if the Clean Power Plan is ever implemented.
"Congress deserves to have an opportunity to vote on whether the administration’s far-reaching energy regulations should go into effect, and I look forward to working with Leader (Mitch) McConnell (R-Ky.) and others to make that happen."
McConnell said he will introduce a related resolution of disapproval Friday regarding the proposed Clean Power Plan regulations for new power sources.