Vacationland Times

The Ohio House of Representatives recently adopted House Resolution 469, legislation sponsored by State Reps. Dick Stein (R-Norwalk) and Monica Robb Blasdel (R-Columbiana).

House Resolution 469 urges the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to withdraw its proposed regulations on greenhouse gas emissions and calls on the United States Congress to take action to prevent the regulations from taking effect.

“We must have an adequate supply of dispatchable generators to meet Ohio’s and our region’s needs,” said Robb Blasdel. “The recent EPA rules will end all fossil fuel construction for the foreseeable future. House Resolution 469 is demanding the federal government to stop the madness!”

The proposed regulations set timelines for reducing carbon emissions that critics argue are unachievable and unrealistic. These rules could negatively affect new and existing natural gas plants and lead to the shutdown of coal power plants by 2035. Additionally, they would require adopting new technologies related to clean hydrogen and carbon capture that are not commercially available and are not mandated by the federal Clean Air Act.

Critics also contend that the U.S. EPA regulations do not consider the reliability of natural gas for Ohio’s electric grid, particularly during extreme weather events, nor do they recognize natural gas's role in reducing CO2 emissions in the United States.

“Now is not the time for the Biden Administration to put limits on our sources of energy,” said Stein. “Our energy grid is fragile. We must utilize all energy resources to ensure Ohioans aren’t left in the dark. Ohio and the PJM region must be able to provide reliable and affordable electricity for ratepayers across our state without interference from an overreaching federal government.”

House Resolution 469 will be sent to various officials, including the President Pro Tempore and Secretary of the U.S. Senate, Speaker and Clerk of the U.S House of Representatives, members of Ohio’s Congressional delegation, and Administrator of the U.S. EPA.