Update: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has blocked McConnell's bill to prevent the EPA from issuing carbon regulations. According to the Hill, "McConnell asked for unanimous consent" to pass the bill, but Reid objected. Reid promised McConnell they could work together on the bill at a later date. McConnell stressed the bill is needed immediately as the EPA is set to announce new coal regulations on Sept. 20.
Dive Summary:
- Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has introduced a new bill, the “Save Coal Jobs Act of 2013," to stop the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from setting new carbon pollution standards for America's existing power plants.
- McConnell hopes to get a vote on the bill quickly. The bill contends the EPA's new rules will "devastate major sectors of the economy,” slash thousands of jobs and send energy costs through the roof.
- In addition to stopping EPA rules, the bill aims to accelerate permitting for coal mining projects and place limits on the Clean Water Act.
From the article:
“He very much wants a vote on it,” an aide said of the bill introduced Tuesday.
The bill takes particular aim at the EPA plans to craft carbon emissions standards for the nation’s fleet of existing power plants, which are due to be proposed next year.
