America's Energy Independence Act

Mr. Chair, I come to the floor this morning to discuss an issue important to all American families living on a budget.

This Administration's overreaching regulations placed on energy are causing increases to American families' utility bills.

Families need certainty that their energy needs will be met and their energy costs will remain low.

Which is why, I have introduced America's Energy Independence Act, which prevents the EPA from enforcing the Cross-State Air Pollution rule for 10 years to keep the cost of utilities low for families.

As we all know, the Cross-State Air Pollution rule finalized by the Environmental Protection Agency on July 6, 2011, and will lead to negative increases in energy prices for families, job loss, with what benefit.

This country needs to create a stable regulatory environment, where the energy costs to families is balanced with the benefit of the regulation, allowing families to have certainty that any new rules and regulations will have their best interests in mind.

Mr. Speaker, this rule was just recently updated in 2005.

Simply put, this regulation will have a significant negative economic impact of $2.4 billion dollars a year, a cost that will be passed to families across the country, including the Eighth District of Tennessee.

The bottom line is that the EPA's Cross-State Air Pollution rule will contribute to a reduction in energy outputs, and an increase to families' utility bills.

At a time when families are struggling to make ends meet, the last action the Obama Administration should take is another multi-billion dollar regulation that kills jobs and increase costs.

That is why I would like to thank the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for including the language of H.R. 2891.