The Obama administration issued its proposed regulations for some 600 existing coal-burning power plants.

The Environmental Protection Agency is calling for a 30 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 and an 83 percent reduction by 2050 in an effort to curb greenhouse gas and help stop climate change.

U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) released the following statement in response to the new rules:

“We need to make energy as clean as we can, as fast as we can, while also growing our economy. Instead of finding the right balance between these important goals, the President’s extreme plan will shut down coal plants across America and cause energy bills to skyrocket. The costs are real, the benefits are theoretical. Rather than making our environment cleaner, the President’s plan weakens our economy and puts America at a competitive disadvantage to China and Russia.These regulations will force many hardworking Americans to lose their jobs. After millions of Americans have already given up looking for work and are struggling to pay their bills, these costly regulations are the last thing we need.”

 

More From KGAB