Pat O’Loughlin, President and CEO of the Ohio Environmental Council (OEC), testified in support of Senate Resolution 296 (SR 296) on May 20, 2024. The resolution urges the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to withdraw recently finalized regulations on greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). SR 296 passed the Senate on May 8 with bipartisan support, and a similar measure is being pursued by the Ohio House to counteract the new rule.
U.S. Representative Troy Balderson is spearheading a Congressional effort to prevent the EPA’s GHG rule from taking effect. He plans to introduce a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution that would halt the implementation of the rule if passed. However, even if both the House and Senate approve this resolution, it could still face a potential Presidential veto.
Critics argue that the EPA’s power plant greenhouse gas rule threatens co-ops’ ability to maintain power supply. They contend that it mandates unproven technologies and sets unachievable emissions limits within an impractical timeframe, violating existing laws and Supreme Court decisions. They also claim that this rule will necessitate premature closure of constantly available power plants while simultaneously making it more difficult to construct essential new power plants at a time when Americans are increasingly reliant on electricity.
