House OKs bill to blunt EPA rule on new coal-fired electricity plants

WASHINGTON, March 6 (UPI) -- The U.S. House voted to override an Environmental Protection Agency proposed rule that would limit carbon emissions from future coal-fired electricity plants.

Members passed the Electricity Security and Affordability Act on a 229-183 vote Thursday, with 10 Democrats supporting the measure, the Hill said.

The bill was in response to a proposed EPA rule that Republicans say would require new coal-fired generating plants to hit a nearly impossible emission standard using today's available technology.

Bill sponsor Ed Whitfield, R-Ky., said the proposed rule would effectively ban new coal-burning power plants.

Democrats criticized the bill as an attempt to undermine efforts to control carbon emissions from electricity plants, the Hill said.

The legislation also would allow Congress to set an effective date for proposed EPA rules relating to existing power plants. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy has said a proposed rule on carbon emissions limits for existing plants should be released by June.