Furthering his commitment to improve the American economy by reining in regulatory burdens, U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) today supported passage of the Energy Consumer Relief Act to limit the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) regulatory authority by requiring increased transparency for major EPA regulations that increase the price of energy and cost American jobs.

“I have heard for far too long from hard-working Missourians about the numerous regulatory burdens from the EPA that threaten jobs and increase energy prices and I am pleased to support legislation to  reverse those troubling trends,” Luetkemeyer said. “In order to get the economy on track,  affordable and reliable energy sources need to be available and this legislation puts our nation on the path to achieving that.”  

The Energy Consumers Relief Act specifically requires that before the EPA finalizes any new energy-related rule estimated to cost more than $1 billion, it must submit a report to Congress detailing certain cost, benefit, energy price, and job impacts. The bill also requires the Energy Secretary to make a determination regarding the impacts of the rule, specifically allowing the secretary to veto the regulation based on how it will impact energy prices, affect fuel diversity or adversely affect fuel supply, distribution or use.