[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13398]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


                   AMERICA'S ENERGY INDEPENDENCE ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. STEPHEN LEE FINCHER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 12, 2011

  Mr. FINCHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bill of great 
importance to families living on a budget. The recent overreaching 
regulations placed on energy and utility companies hinder America's 
economy while causing increases to families' utility bills. Families 
need certainty that their energy needs will be met and their energy 
costs will remain low. The Cross-State Air Pollution rule finalized by 
the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, on July 6, 2011, will lead to 
increases in energy prices for families and prohibit jobs. Also, these 
regulations and rules were just recently updated in 2005.
  America leads the world in providing safe, reliable energy to 
families. In order for America to continue to prosper, the regulatory 
process must follow common sense and not be unduly burdensome.
  That is why I am pleased to introduce the America's Energy 
Independence Act, which prevents the EPA from implementing the Cross-
State Air Pollution Rule for ten years. Simply put, this regulation 
will have a significant negative economic impact of $2.4 billion 
dollars a year which will lead to job loss, a reduction in energy 
outputs, and an increase to family's 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 will kill jobs and increase costs. It is 
imperative that we keep the flow of energy high and the cost of 
utilities low.
  Creating a stable regulatory environment, where the balance between 
the costs to families is balanced with the benefit of the regulation, 
allows families to have certainty that any new rules and regulations 
that are finalized will have their best interests in mind.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues in the House (and Senate) to 
support me in passing the America's Energy Independence Act and bring 
stability and balance to the regulatory process.

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