House Concurrent Resolution 171 would require EPA to appear before Congress to have any rule, regulation approved if Congress passed law
FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 2, 2015) - Representative Tim Couch, R-Hyden, who represents part of the Eastern Kentucky coalfields has filed a House resolution that if passed would ask the United States Congress to pass a law requiring the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) appear before them to seek approval of any rule or regulation they propose. Rep. Couch's bill is being called the "Coal Jobs Saving Resolution."
"As the owner of a small grocery store in my native Leslie County, I've seen firsthand the devastation the EPA has done to our community and our region with their war on coal," said Rep. Couch. "I filed this bill because I believe these nameless bureaucrats handing down regulation after regulation from their offices in Washington and Atlanta should be made to answer as to why they are destroying our way of life. That's why I'm hopeful my bill passes so we can ask Congress to hold the EPA accountable."
Rep. Couch's bill, House Concurrent Resolution 171, has 48 co-sponsors from both rural and urban areas, and from both Democrats and Republicans. But Rep. Couch points out that several House members from coal counties in Eastern Kentucky, including two members of House Democrat leadership, have not signed on as sponsors.
"Some in the House like to talk about how they're against Obama's war on coal. If they are going to talk the talk, then they need to walk the walk and co-sponsor my legislation and give it a hearing in the House," added Rep. Couch.
For more information on HCR 171, go to www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15rs/HC171.htm<http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/15rs/HC171.htm>.