TO THE MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE:
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce strongly opposes S.J. Res. 53, which would undo the Environmental Protection Agency’s Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) Rule, which addresses greenhouse gas emissions from the electric power sector. The Chamber will consider including votes on this resolution in our annual How They Voted scorecard.
The Chamber believes the global climate is changing and humans are contributing to these changes. We believe that there is much common ground on which all sides of this discussion could come together to address climate change with policies that are practical, flexible, predictable, and durable. The Chamber also believes in a policy approach that acknowledges the costs of action and inaction and the competitiveness of the U.S. economy.
To be clear, S.J. Res. 53 is not a vote to reinstate the Obama-era Clean Power Plan. The Supreme Court has prevented EPA from moving forward with this regulation due in part to its unprecedented scope and unsound legal footing. In addition, the proposed use of the Congressional Review Act may prevent the promulgation of substantially similar regulations in the future, which could serve to restrict future use of the Clean Air Act to reduce emissions and address climate change.
The ACE Rule will result in measurable progress on further reducing the carbon intensity of the electric power sector in a manner consistent with the EPA’s authority under the Clean Air Act. If enacted, S.J. Res. 53 would prevent the reduction in carbon emissions envisioned under the rule. Instead of this ill-considered resolution, we urge the Senate to take-up bipartisan energy innovation legislation that has great potential to make additional, meaningful reductions in carbon emissions.
The Chamber urges you to oppose S.J. Res. 53.
Sincerely,
Jack Howard
