U.S. Chamber’s Energy Institute Praises Repeal of Job-Killing Midnight Energy Regulation

Press Release
February 16, 2017

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Karen Harbert, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for 21st Century Energy, issued the following statement following President Trump’s signature on the Congressional Review Act Resolution repealing the so-called Stream Protection Rule:

“We commend Congress and President Trump for working quickly to overturn the so-called Stream Protection Rule. The regulation exemplified the worst of midnight rulemaking—unnecessary, costly, and finalized on December 20th—more than six weeks after election day. Make no mistake, the rule was not about stream protection, it was about blocking access to affordable energy. It threatened to drive up energy costs for families and businesses, and its impact would have been felt far beyond the coalfields—harming railroads, utilities, and the companies that service and support mining communities, from restaurants to hotels to equipment suppliers.

“Now is the time for pro-growth energy policies that utilize, instead of penalize, our domestic natural resources. It is clear that the Trump administration and Congress are serious about regulatory reform and unleashing American energy to improve competitiveness. We stand ready to assist in these efforts.”

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.