Bill Text: MI SR0053 | 2015-2016 | 98th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: A resolution to memorialize the President of the United States, the United States Congress, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency to abandon the promulgation of currently proposed carbon emission reduction regulations that would lead to an unnecessary and drastic increase in the cost of electricity for the people of the state of Michigan.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 13-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-05-13 - Referred To Committee On Natural Resources [SR0053 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2015-SR0053-Introduced.html
Senator Casperson offered the following resolution:
Senate Resolution No. 53.
A resolution to memorialize the President of the United States, the United States Congress, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency to abandon the promulgation of currently proposed carbon emission reduction regulations that would lead to an unnecessary and drastic increase in the cost of electricity for the people of the state of Michigan.
Whereas, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is in the process of finalizing rules that will require states to reduce carbon emissions by dramatically altering the production, distribution, and use of electricity. The EPA is expected to announce the official requirements during the summer of 2015. As currently proposed, the EPA will allow states only up to one year to submit proposals outlining their plan to comply; and
Whereas, The proposed EPA regulations constitute an unprecedented usurpation of state authority by the federal government. In crafting these new extreme regulations, the EPA has reinterpreted section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act and intends to exercise radical and never before seen federal authority over state electric matters. Section 111(d) had previously been correctly interpreted to extend only to specific emissions aspects of individual power plants, but the EPA is now attempting to extend the regulatory reach to impact decisions affecting the method of generation and type of fuel used to produce electricity, demand response programs, and other parts of the electric system that were being properly overseen by the states; and
Whereas, The proposed EPA regulations are threatening the cost structure of the electric grid in Michigan and around the country. Compliance with these regulations will likely require the early retirement of expensive to build power plants that contribute to Michigan’s regional transmission organization, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO). Retiring these power plants means that other plants which are less cost-effective to operate will be responsible for generating a larger percentage of the region’s electricity, resulting in higher rates for Michigan residents and businesses; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That we memorialize the President of the United States, the United States Congress, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency to abandon the promulgation of currently proposed carbon emission reduction regulations that would lead to an unnecessary and drastic increase in the cost of electricity for the people of the state of Michigan; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, the members of the Michigan congressional delegation, and the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
