Expressing opposition to EPA-proposed guidelines regarding carbon dioxide emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired power plants under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act.
The proposed Section 111(d) rule by the EPA raises significant concerns regarding its impact on state powers, particularly in regulating emissions from power plants. The Texas Legislature argues that the authority to enforce regulations related to electricity generation should solely reside with the state. The resolution notes that the guidelines, if implemented, could disrupt how electricity is generated, transmitted, and utilized across Texas. The legislature aims to protect state authority and prevent what they view as an overreach by federal entities, maintaining that the existing powers of the state should remain undiluted.
SCR27 expresses opposition to proposed guidelines by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding carbon dioxide emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired power plants under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act. The resolution underscores the belief that maintaining reliable and affordable electricity is essential for both citizens' well-being and the economic prosperity of each state. It asserts that, under the 10th Amendment, states hold the prerogative to regulate their own electricity supply without federal interference. The resolution highlights concerns that the proposed EPA regulations would effectively amount to a federal takeover of electric power regulation, which should remain under state jurisdiction.
The central contention surrounding SCR27 lies in the Texas Legislature's assertion that the EPA's proposed emissions guidelines lack the legal foundation necessary to impose such regulations on states. Legislators point to the Clean Air Act’s limitations, which they believe restrict the EPA’s ability to require states to implement protocols beyond the scope of individual emission sources. There is a clear division between proponents of the federal guidelines, who argue for standardized national emissions control, and state lawmakers who value and advocate for state autonomy in regulatory matters. The resolution encourages Congress to take action against the EPA's measures and conveys a strong message of opposition to federal overreach.