Murkowski: EPA rule creates less stable grid

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said she thinks the White House’s proposed rule to reduce power plant emissions will result in a less stable power grid.

“I’m greatly concerned that EPA rules will result in a grid that is less stable and less reliable,” Murkowski said on the Senate floor Thursday. “Reliability is key here.”

{mosads}Earlier this week, the Environmental Protection Agency announced it’s considering a new rule that would force power plants to reduce green house gas emissions by 30 percent over 15 years.

Republicans have blasted the idea, saying it’s the latest blow in President Obama’s “war on coal.”

Murkowski, who serves as ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said the administration is trying to bypass Congress.

“This is a unilateral effort to bypass Congress,” Murkowski said. “The goal is to push our electric supply away from coal. … I know the EPA has an important job to do but it cannot regulate in a vacuum.”

The EPA is now waiting to hear from the public on the idea, which the administration says will improve the health and environment of the country.