Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) has announced his opposition to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) power plant rules, aligning with Ohio’s electric cooperatives. Brown criticized the rules as “unrealistic” and “unachievable,” arguing they could undermine grid reliability, increase energy costs for Ohioans, and jeopardize jobs in the state’s energy sector.
“The Biden Administration failed to work with Ohio workers, electric co-ops, and other affected Ohioans to fix the rule,” Brown stated. He expressed support for current congressional efforts led by U.S. Congressman Troy Balderson (R-OH) to overturn the EPA regulations.
Brown had previously urged the EPA to collaborate with Ohio stakeholders on revising the proposed rule. “We warned the Administration that they needed to listen to the Ohioans whose livelihoods and energy bills are at stake – and they didn’t. I will not turn my back on Ohio’s rural electric co-ops, Ohio energy workers, and Ohio families whose energy bills are already too high,” he said.
Pat O’Loughlin, President and CEO of Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives and Buckeye Power, commended Brown’s stance: “Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives applaud Senator Brown for supporting a Congressional Review Act resolution to stop the harmful U.S. EPA rule on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. The rule is unachievable, unrealistic, and unlawful.”
The leadership of Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives collaborated with Cardinal Plant leaders, local union president, and national leadership of UWUA in seeking Brown’s support against the EPA rules. They argued that these regulations would negatively impact co-op members, Cardinal Plant union workers, and coal plant employees nationwide.
James Slevin, National President of the Utility Workers Union of America (AFL-CIO), also thanked Brown: “Thank you to Senator Brown for supporting Congressional review of the Environmental Protection Agency’s rulemaking on power plant emissions. The rulemaking would harm thousands of workers employed at coal-fired power plants across the country.”
Investor-owned utility Duke Energy also welcomed Brown’s backing. Amy Spiller, President of Duke Energy Ohio and Duke Energy Kentucky said: “Our customers deserve reliable and affordable energy… We appreciate Senator Brown’s support for the Congressional Review Act efforts from Senator Capito and Congressman Balderson.”
Jim Matheson, CEO of National Rural Electric Cooperative Association echoed these sentiments: “EPA’s power plant rule is unlawful, unreasonable, and unachievable… We urge Congress to pass this resolution and thank Sen. Brown for his support to reverse this harmful rule.”
