Indianapolis – Governor Mike Pence issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issuing its final regulations limiting carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants. Known as the Clean Power Plan, the regulations impose a carbon dioxide emissions reduction requirement on each state.
“When it comes to energy policy, this Administration continues to place its environmental agenda ahead of the interests of Hoosier ratepayers, jobs and the economy. Here in Indiana, homeowners and businesses rely on coal-burning power plants for low-cost, reliable energy. Yet little to no consideration was given to states like ours throughout the development of the EPA’s final rule and that is simply not acceptable.
“Throughout this process, Indiana has called time and again for these ill-conceived rules to be withdrawn, and I informed the Administration that unless the final rule was demonstrably and significantly improved, Indiana would not comply. In the days ahead, my Administration will carefully review the final rule to determine if the Obama Administration was listening.
“If the final rule is not significantly improved, then Hoosiers can be assured that on behalf of families, businesses and other ratepayers, Indiana will not comply.
“Indiana will also continue to vigorously challenge the legality of this rule in the federal courts. Far too much is at stake for jobs and the economy in Indiana for us to do anything less.”
On June 24, 2015, Governor Pence sent President Obama a letter informing the President that Indiana would not comply with the Clean Power Plan unless the final rule was “demonstrably and significantly improved” from the proposed rule. Governor Pence had previously written to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy on December 1, 2014 describing the proposed rules as “ill-conceived and poorly constructed.” In both letters, Governor Pence called for the withdrawal of the rules.
