National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Praises House Passing "Time Out" Legislation for Clean Power Plan

National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) CEO Jo Ann Emerson commended the House of Representatives for passing the Ratepayer Protection Act, H.R. 2042.

"Electric cooperatives strongly endorse the Ratepayer Protection Act and its safe harbor period that delays the implementation of the EPA's Clean Power Plan until after the courts have spoken. The onerous 2020 goals set by the proposal would force many co-ops to make irrevocable and expensive decisions in less than five years without regard to the legality of the regulation. This legislation helps ensure that the business decisions made are in the best interest of co-op consumer members - the people at the end of the lines," said Emerson. "We look forward to the Senate considering similar legislation."

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association is the national service organization that represents the nation's more than 900 private, not-for-profit, consumer-owned electric cooperatives, which provide service to 42 million people in 47 states.