Hudson Rebukes Obama's Plan to Raise N.C. Energy Prices

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08) rebuked President Obama’s strict energy regulations that could raise energy prices in N.C. by nearly 14%:

“We can keep the air clean while protecting jobs and ensuring energy is affordable, but we have to be reasonable. With this doubled-down war on American energy that will raise energy prices and cost jobs without having a measurable impact on carbon emissions, President Obama significantly misses the mark.”

In North Carolina, the president’s power plant rule, also known as the “Clean Power Plan,” could increase rates by nearly 14% without having a significant impact on global emissions. In addition, North Carolina has reduced carbon dioxide emission from electric utilities by 20% since 2005, but this rule does not take these into account.

The House passed the Ratepayer Protection Act (H.R. 2042) in June to protect families and businesses from these significant electricity rate increases and reduced electric reliability by requiring judicial review of the rule to be completed before states are required to comply. In addition, it provides a safe harbor for states, ensuring that no state will be forced to implement a state or federal plan if the governor finds it would significantly harm energy affordability or reliability.

To watch Rep. Hudson’s remarks in support of the Ratepayer Protection Act, click here.