Crawford Responds to Obama Administration’s Proposed “War on Coal”

Congressman Rick Crawford (R-AR) issued the following statement in response to President Obama’s proposed environmental regulations affecting the Arkansas coal energy industry:

“Yesterday, President Obama announced a new push for a package of environmental regulations that will constitute what his top climate advisor calls a ‘war on coal.’ Increasing regulations to punish this industry, causing massive price increases for consumers and killing jobs, is a wrongheaded and destructive approach for Arkansas families. Currently, half of Arkansas homes rely on coal to power their homes. Estimates by industry experts show that rate payers stand to see rates rise 11% by 2020 due to emission control costs alone. This isn’t a war on coal – it is an attack on hard-working Arkansas families.

“This President has consistently shown his willingness to advance an ideological agenda absent any sort of Congressional input. Sadly, he has indicated that the only way to see this through is by Executive Order. I am disappointed that the President has no desire to enact an all-of-the-above energy strategy that would balance our need for energy independence while not unduly burdening rural America and rural Arkansas. I stand ready to work with the President to achieve an energy policy that will lower rates for Arkansas families and create jobs.”