WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a leader on the Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW), today issued the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its final Affordable Clean Energy rule:

“The EPA’s final Affordable Clean Energy rule is another sign that the Trump administration is committed to commonsense regulation and ending the War on Coal, and that striking a balance between the economy and the environment is absolutely possible.

The Obama administration’s so-called ‘Clean Power Plan’ was an unrealistic and strangling regulation that was devastating to West Virginia’s energy economy. Under this new rule, states and energy producers will be able to reduce their emissions at an achievable pace without cutting back on jobs or economic growth. Combined with rolling back unnecessary bureaucratic red tape and compliance costs, this will keep American energy affordable and competitive on the world stage.

West Virginians don’t have to choose between a clean environment and a thriving economy. We demand both; and with this plan, we can achieve both.”