WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) introduced the Energy Consumers Relief Act to protect workers and consumers from the consequences of costly EPA regulations.
This bill would ensure greater transparency and review of the EPA’s billion-dollar energy rules. It requires the EPA to submit a report to Congress detailing certain cost, benefit, energy price and job impacts before the EPA finalizes any new energy-related rules estimated to cost more than $1 billion. The EPA would be prohibited from finalizing certain rules if the Secretary of Energy determines it will cause adverse effects to the economy.
“Creating better jobs with better benefits for families is important to the American people. This bill puts a check on the regulations that can get in the way of these jobs and these benefits. The EPA blindly issues rules that they claim will be beneficial. In reality, they spend of billions of taxpayer dollars on initiatives that hurt businesses and their workers,” said Senator Bill Cassidy. “Senator Heller and I will continue holding the EPA in check. Access to affordable, reliable energy for families in Louisiana, Nevada and across the country should be a reality.”
“Energy costs affect every aspect of life for American families. Without strict oversight, the EPA has authority to force outrageous regulations increasing energy prices on Nevada’s families and businesses. The Energy Consumers Relief Act will halt these overreaching, job-crushing regulations while increasing transparency within the EPA,” said Senator Dean Heller. “Senator Cassidy and I worked on this important legislation during his time in the House of Representatives, and I am proud to now stand beside him as my colleague in the U.S. Senate as we work to stop the EPA in its tracks.”
Dr. Cassidy first introduced the bill in the House of Representatives and Senator Heller introduced the companion in the Senate. It passed the House on August 1, 2013 and September 15, 2015 as part of the American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs Act.
This is Dr. Cassidy’s first energy bill introduced as a U.S Senator. He is a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
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