U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (center) with Shay Mine No. 1 workers
U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (center) with Shay Mine No. 1 workers
Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) reiterated his support of a House vote Tuesday that blocked new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emissions rules for coal-fired power plants.
Citing a study from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Davis said the new emissions standards would double the number of coal plants expected to close by 2040, costing local communities jobs and business.
“Last week, I visited coal plants and spoke with miners in my district who are afraid of losing their jobs because of regulations coming out of Washington,” Davis said. “These new rules put every one of those jobs in jeopardy. I also saw last week that the industry has made great strides in the technology used to safely burn coal and reduce emissions. We need an all-of-the-above energy strategy that includes coal and will allow our economy to grow and create good-paying jobs.”
Davis' tour included stops at Shay Mine No. 1 near Carlinville, a meeting with United Mine Workers of America in Springfield, and the coal-fired Abbott Power Plant, which powers the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Tuesday's vote advances two bills that were passed by the Senate in November. The first dismantles the EPA's rules for existing coal-fired plants. The second does the same for regulations affecting new coal-fired plants. Both bills now head to President Barack Obama.
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