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Attorney General Jeff Landry Fights Federal Government's Clean Power Plan

WASHINGTON, DC - A federal appeal court heard arguments yesterday in a lawsuit filed by a coalition of 24 states - including Louisiana - challenging the legality of the Clean Power Plan, rules proposed by the EPA that would require existing plants to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 30% from 2005 levels by 2030.

"The Clean Power Plan is another example of executive overreach and, just like other overly burdensome and extremely expensive Washington regulations, this unconstitutional EPA mandate is a job killer," said General Landry. "The Clean Power Plan is a purely political attempt to force states into green energy submission."

While the Administration has already imposed carbon limits on future power plants, the Clean Power Plan is the first time such limits would be applied to existing power plants. Louisiana industry participants have estimated compliance costs would exceed $4 billion.

"If enacted, the Clean Power Plan would cost billions to implement and would jeopardize Louisiana’s six coal-fired plants that generate over 6,000 megawatts of low-cost energy for our State," explained General Landry. "This plan would dramatically increase electricity costs for hard-working Louisiana families, seniors, and individuals living on fixed incomes."

Implementation of the rule was stayed by the United States Supreme Court in February, pending further proceedings by the District of Columbia Circuit. Today's arguments focused on whether the EPA has legal authority for its plan under the Clean Air Act and whether the plan is illegal on grounds of "double regulation" because coal-fired power plants already are regulated under a separate section of the Clean Air Act.

"I am proud to stand with my fellow Attorneys General in defending our states' rights under the Tenth Amendment," added General Landry. "I will continue to do all that I can to advance the best interests of Louisiana and stop onerous, expensive, and unnecessary government regulations on our people and job creators."