03.28.17

Energy Independence Executive Order ‘A Pro-Growth And Pro-Environment Approach’

Sen. McConnell: ‘I’ve Worked Hard To Defend Coal Communities And The Jobs That They, And So Many Across The Country, Depend Upon’

SEN. MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): “Throughout my career in the Senate, I’ve worked hard to defend coal communities and the jobs that they, and so many across the country, depend upon. These men and women have dedicated their lives to providing an affordable and reliable power source for our homes, businesses, and communities. They deserve our respect and our support. … I commend President Trump for the decision to sign the Energy Independence Executive Order and send several anti-Middle Class regulations back to the drawing board.” (Sen. McConnell, Floor Remarks, 3/28/2017)

‘President Donald Trump Will Sign A Sweeping Executive Order Tuesday’ ‘Putting American Jobs’ First

“‘This is about making sure that we have a pro-growth and pro-environment approach to how we do regulation in this country,’ Scott Pruitt, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, said on ABC’s ‘This Week’ program on Sunday.” (“Trump To Issue Far-Reaching Reversal Of Obama Climate Push,” Bloomberg, 3/26/17)

“President Donald Trump will sign a sweeping executive order Tuesday at the Environmental Protection Agency, which looks to curb the federal government's enforcement of climate regulations by putting American jobs above addressing climate change.” (“In Executive Order, Trump To Dramatically Change US Approach To Climate Change,” CNN, 3/28/17)

FLASHBACK: ‘Mitch McConnell Is Going All In’ Opposing The Obama Administration’s ‘Deeply Regressive Energy Regulations’

SEN. MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): “The Obama administration's so-called ‘clean power’ regulation seeks to shut down more of America's power generation under the guise of protecting the climate. In reality, this proposed regulation would have a negligible effect on global climate but a profoundly negative impact on countless American families already struggling. The regulation is unfair. It's probably illegal. And state officials can do something about it; in fact, many are already fighting back. I'm calling for others to join.” (Sen. McConnell, “States Should Reject Obama Mandate For Clean-Power Regulations,” Lexington Herald Leader, 3/3/15)

SALON: “Mitch McConnell is going all in on his promise ‘do everything [he] can to try to stop’ the EPA.” (Salon, 3/20/15)

LAST CONGRESS: The Senate Joined ‘Avalanche Of Attacks On The Obama Administration’s Rules’ Assaulting Coal Families

“Both chambers of Congress this week are set to join the avalanche of attacks on the Obama administration’s rules limiting emissions from the power sector.” (“Republicans Attack Climate Rules To Send Message To UN,” National Journal, 10/26/15)

SEN. MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): “Tonight, the U.S. Senate voted to stand up for Middle Class Americans, and specifically our hard working Kentucky coal miners and their families, by voting to overturn the Obama Administration’s deeply regressive energy regulations that would eliminate good-paying jobs, punish the poor, and make it even harder for Kentuckians to put food on the table.” (“Senate Attacks Obama’s Landmark Climate Rules,” Huffington Post, 11/18/15)

  • “The Senate resolution, which passed 52 to 46, would scuttle a rule that would significantly cut heat-trapping carbon emissions from existing coal-fired power plants. That Environmental Protection Agency rule, released in August, is the centerpiece of Mr. Obama's efforts to address climate change. A second resolution, which also passed 52 to 46, would strike a related E.P.A. rule intended to freeze construction of future coal-fired power plants.” (“Senate Rejects Obama Plan To Cut Emissions At Coal-Burning Plants,” The New York Times, 11/18/15)

The ‘War On Coal’ Families Was ‘The Centerpiece Of Obama’s Climate Agenda’

“The [EPA’s power plant] rule… is the centerpiece of Obama’s climate agenda — but its sweeping scope and strict standards make it an especially contentious regulation.” (“Wave Of Litigation Hits Obama Climate Rule,” The Hill, 10/24/15)

OBAMA ADMINISTRATION: ‘A War On Coal Is Exactly What’s Needed’ 

“…Obama’s new rules are absolutely changing the trajectory of the power industry. He has been an ally in the war on coal …” (“Obama’s Ozone Lesson,” Politico, 10/15)

HILLARY CLINTON: “We’re going to put a lot of coal miners and coal companies out of business.” (“Why Putting Coal Miners Out Of Work Is A Very Bad Thing To Say In West Virginia,” The Washington Post, 5/10/16)

DANIEL P. SCHRAG, Obama White House Climate Adviser: ‘A war on coal is exactly what’s needed’ “The one thing the president really needs to do now is to begin the process of shutting down the conventional coal plants. …a war on coal is exactly what’s needed.” (The New York Times, 6/25/13)

Obama EPA Official: ‘Make examples out of people,’ ‘crucify them’ “The Romans used to conquer little villages in the Mediterranean. They’d go into a little Turkish (sic) town somewhere, they’d find the first five guys they saw and they would crucify them. And then you know that town was really easy to manage for the next few years. And so you make examples out of people...” (Forbes, 4/26/12)

THEN-SEN. BARACK OBAMA: “Under my plan of a cap and trade system electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket, even, you know, regardless of what I say about whether coal is good or bad, because I'm capping greenhouse gases, coal powered plants, you know, natural gas, you name it, whatever the plants were, whatever the industry was, they would have to retrofit their operations. That will cost money. They will pass that money on to consumers.” (The San Francisco Chronicle, 1/17/08)

  • THEN-SEN. BARACK OBAMA: “So if somebody wants to build a coal fired plant they can, it’s just that it will bankrupt them because they are going to be charged a huge sum for all that greenhouse gas that is being emitted.” (The San Francisco Chronicle, 1/17/08)

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Related Issues: Labor, Middle Class, Jobs, Executive Orders, Coal, Energy