Alexander: Obama’s “So-Called Clean Power Plan” Will Drive Up Energy Prices in Tennessee, Disadvantage Clean Nuclear Power

Supports Senate resolutions to disapprove EPA’s carbon regulations for new and existing power plants

“TVA is doing a good job of cleaning up its coal plants, building nuclear plants, and utilizing hydroelectric power, but the administration’s new rule for existing power plants encourages solar and wind power—which produce very little electricity—instead of nuclear power—which produces more than 60 percent of our clean electricity.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – November 2, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) joined 49 senators in supporting legislation to disapprove EPA’s carbon regulations for new and existing power plants, saying the regulations are harmful to Tennessee utilities.

“The Obama administration’s so-called Clean Power Plan imposes cumbersome regulations that drive up the cost of energy and discourage job growth,” Alexander said. “TVA is doing a good job of cleaning up its coal plants, building nuclear plants, and utilizing hydroelectric power, but the administration’s new rule for existing power plants encourages solar and wind power—which produce very little electricity—instead of nuclear power—which produces more than 60 percent of our clean electricity. Picking and choosing winners in the marketplace and prioritizing an unreliable source of electricity such as wind makes little sense and is the energy equivalent of going to war in sailboats when a nuclear Navy is available.”

Alexander, who leads the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Energy & Water Development, continued: “The best way to produce clean energy is to rely on our free-enterprise system, which means ending Washington’s obsession with wasteful taxpayer subsidies, and to double basic energy research to encourage private-sector innovation.”

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Sen. Shelley Capito (R-W.Va.) introduced separate joint resolutions under the Congressional Review Act to disapprove the EPA’s carbon regulations for new power plants (McConnell) and existing power plants (Capito). Alexander is a cosponsor of both resolutions.

# # #

For access to this release and the senator’s other statements, click here.

To stay up-to-date on the senator’s latest actions, follow him on Twitter and YouTube.