HR 118 (LSB 6171HH (6) 85)

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 118

BY  WATTS, GASSMAN, WINDSCHITL, SALMON, HUSEMAN, GUSTAFSON, SHAW, DEYOE, ALONS, SHEETS, R. TAYLOR, LOFGREN, FISHER, HEARTSILL, BAUDLER, RAYHONS, WORTHAN, SCHULTZ, FORRISTALL, and DOLECHECK

A Resolution in support of recognizing the lead role of states in the regulation of carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants.

   WHEREAS, a reliable and affordable energy supply is vital to Iowa’s economic growth and the employment and well-being of its citizens; and
   WHEREAS, Iowa supports a comprehensive energy strategy because it is in the state’s best interests and the best interests of the United States; and
   WHEREAS, the United States possesses abundant supplies of coal capable of providing economic and energy security benefits; and
   WHEREAS, the use of coal provides affordable and reliable electricity to the citizens of Iowa; and
   WHEREAS, carbon regulations for existing coal-fueled power plants could threaten the affordability and reliability of Iowa’s electricity supply and, therefore, the well-being of its citizens; and
   WHEREAS, the United States Energy Information Administration projects that the United States electric sector carbon dioxide emissions will be 14 percent below 2005 levels by the year 2020 and that carbon dioxide emissions from United States coal-fueled power plants will be 19 percent below 2005 levels in the year 2020; and
   WHEREAS, on June 25, 2013, the President of the United States directed the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency to issue standards, regulations, or guidelines to address carbon dioxide emissions from new, existing, modified, and reconstructed fossil-fuel power plants; and
   WHEREAS, the President of the United States expressly recognized that states will play a central role in establishing and implementing carbon standards for existing power plants; and
   WHEREAS, the federal Clean Air Act requires the United States Environmental Protection Agency to establish a procedure under which each state shall develop a plan for establishing and implementing standards of performance for existing energy sources within the state; and
   WHEREAS, the federal Clean Air Act expressly allows states, in developing and applying such performance standards, to take into consideration, among other factors, the remaining useful life of the existing energy source to which the standard applies; and
   WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of electricity consumers in Iowa to continue to benefit from reliable, affordable electricity provided by coal-based electricity generating plants; NOW THEREFORE,

   BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, That the House of Representatives urges the United States Environmental Protection Agency, in developing guidelines for regulating carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants, to respect the primacy of Iowa and other states and to rely on state regulators to develop performance standards for carbon dioxide emissions that take into account the unique policies, energy needs, resource mix, and economic priorities of Iowa and other states; and

   BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be sent to the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and to the members of Iowa’s congressional delegation.