GenOn Energy Will Close Their Plant In Avon Lake & Niles Due To Burdensome Regulations

Yesterday, GenOn Energy announced that due to the Obama Administration’s job-killing regulations – that liberal U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown supports – they will soon be closing their energy plant in Niles and Avon Lake.  This will kill nearly 1,000 Ohio jobs and it will also increase energy rates for hard-working families in the Buckeye State.

As CBS News reports:

“[GenOn Energy], said Wednesday that tough new environmental rules make it unprofitable to operate the plants, which generate a total of 3,140 megawatts of electricity. … Two plants in Ohio and one in New Jersey will also be closed. The company said the timeframes are subject to further review based on market conditions.”(5 Pa. coal-fired power plants to close, CBS News, 03/01/12)

Notably, the National Economic Research Associates recently released a study that found unelected bureaucrats at the EPA are creating burdensome emissions regulations that could kill over 53,000 jobs in Ohio and increase electricity rates by 13 percent.

“When given the opportunity to stop the unelected bureaucrats at the EPA from implementing their job-killing regulations – which will kill 1,000 Ohio jobs – Sherrod Brown chose to do nothing,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Jahan Wilcox.  “If Brown and his radical environmental friends continue to have their way, then their burdensome regulations will ultimately kill 53,000 Ohio jobs and force families in Ohio to pay an additional 13 percent in electricity rates.”   

BACKGROUND …

Despite Acknowledging That EPA Regulations Could Be “Burdensome,” Brown Voted Against Blocking The Agency From Regulating Carbon

Brown Voted Against An Amendment Which Would Have Blocked The EPA From Regulating Carbon Dioxide And Other Greenhouse Gasses. “McConnell, R-Ky., amendment no. 183 that would block the EPA from regulating carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.” (S. 493, CQ Vote #54: Rejected 50-50: R 46-1; D 4-47; I 0-2, 4/6/11, Brown Voted Nay)

Brown Told The Obama Administration That EPA Regulations Could Be “Burdensome” And Could Harm Economic Growth. “A key Midwestern Senate Democrat on Monday called on the Obama administration to reconsider its approach to greenhouse gas regulation, as EPA critics weigh their legislative options for blocking the new rules. Ohio’s Sherrod Brown called the new permitting requirements for large emitters ‘burdensome’ and said they could harm economic growth, echoing the concerns of industry and GOP lawmakers.” (Geof Koss, “Ohio’s Brown Is Latest Senate Democrat To Criticize EPA Greenhouse Gas Rules,” Congressional Quarterly, 2/28/11)

• Brown: “Without Careful Consideration, The Unintended Consequences Of Imprudent Regulation Could Ultimately Undermine Our Shared Objectives Of Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions And Spurring Economic Growth.” (Senator Sherrod Brown, “Sen. Brown To President Obama: Reconsider Approach To Greenhouse Gas Regulation,” Press Release, 2/28/11)