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Wilson Sends Delegation Letter to President and EPA

September 26, 2013

Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) was joined by other Members of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation in sending a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy and President Obama regarding the EPA's recent proposed rule to place stringent carbon emission standards on all new energy facilities. South Carolina's energy producers have already been forced to expedite the retiring of twelve coal facilities due to past restrictions, which has driven up energy costs for consumers. The current Administration has made it common practice for the EPA to unilaterally institute regulations without seeking Congressional approval. The purpose of the letter was to demand these harmful proposals be sent to Congress for approval so that the American people will have a voice in these and any new policies.

In addition to Congressman Wilson, the letter was also signed by Senators Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott as well as Congressmen Jeff Duncan, Trey Gowdy, Mick Mulvaney, and Tom Rice.

The letter reads, "Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made another attempt to circumvent Congress by proposing stringent carbon emission standards on our country's energy producers. We are deeply frustrated with this proposal and the EPA'sattempt to overstep Congress in an effort to promulgate President Obama's environmental agenda.

"South Carolinians have seen firsthand the repercussions of rulemakings conducted by the EPA. As a result of the Agency's published Mercury Air Toxic Standards in 2011, our state energy providers were forced to expedite the retiring of 12 coal facilities totaling 1,775 megawatts of power. Retiring these facilities prematurely drives up energy costs, destroys jobs, and hinders economic recovery in a state where over eight percent of her citizens are unemployed. We find this very troublesome.

"Even more frustrating is the method by which the Administration, knowing how deeply unpopular its proposals are, continues to use its agencies to circumvent Congress. We strongly urge the EPA to submit its most recent proposal regarding carbon emissions for new facilities and any future proposals to Congress, instead of acting autonomously and alienating the United States' legislative body from the lawmaking process."

Please view a copy of the signed letter here.