U.S. Chamber Statement in Reaction to the Veto of Congressional Review Act EPA Resolution

Press Release
December 20, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Karen Harbert, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for 21st Century Energy, today issued the following statement regarding President Obama’s veto of the resolutions under the Congressional Review Act, which would prohibit the EPA from implementing new greenhouse gas power plant regulations:

“The business community applauds the House and the Senate for taking action to protect affordable and abundant domestic energy resources that provide economic development and security. It is clear that President Obama is intent on ramming through costly regulations on power plants that have been opposed by a majority in Congress and a majority of states. The president’s veto of legislation that would have halted his EPA’s regulatory overreach ignores reality in favor of politics, and leaves the legal system as the best remaining course for those of us who are seeking to protect consumers and businesses, at least during the remainder of this administration.

“The EPA’s carbon regulations will irreversibly harm America's power sector and raise the costs for every business and every American that uses electricity. These rules will negatively impact every industry and damage the economy without any significant reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions. We look forward to our day in court.”

Twenty-seven states and scores of businesses and industry associations, including the U.S. Chamber, have already sought to stop this rule through the appropriate legal avenues due to the harm this rule poses to the availability of affordable and reliable electricity.

Please click to read our Key Vote letters to the U.S. Senate and to the U.S. House.

The mission of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute for 21st Century Energy is to unify policymakers, regulators, business leaders, and the American public behind a common sense energy strategy to help keep America secure, prosperous, and clean. Through policy development, education, and advocacy, the Institute is building support for meaningful action at the local, state, national, and international levels.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.