Washington, DC – U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) today said that First Energy’s newly announced plans to retire six power plants, including four in Ohio, demonstrates again that the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) overreach is causing job loss:

“Today’s announcement by First Energy shows that the EPA ‘s new regulations are in fact causing job loss in Ohio at a time when the economy is still struggling,” said Portman. “Just last month, I had voiced concern about the EPA’s decision to finalize its $9.6 billion emissions standards due to their anticipated adverse effects on employment and the cost of electricity in Ohio.  And now we have the first proof that the agency’s regulatory regime has hamstrung employers and is preventing growth.  Legislation I have introduced would require the EPA to demonstrate that it has balanced economic costs and job loss with benefits and use the alternative least burdensome on the economy.”

In a statement today, First Energy said their decision to close the plants is based on the EPA’s recently finalized Utility MACT rule, and other environmental regulations. Roughly 430 jobs will be affected in Ohio as a result.

“We need to get back to balancing our economic and environmental needs and do away with the regulatory overreach that has become the status quo under the Obama administration,” added Portman. “There is no reason Ohioans should have to choose between holding onto a good paying job and protecting the environment.”

In September, Sen. Portman introduced the Regulatory Accountability Act of 2011 to significantly reform the federal regulatory process and reduce unnecessary burdens on job creators. Under this bill, the Utility MACT rule would not have been possible without a more rigorous analysis of its costs, benefits and impact on jobs. The bipartisan bill passed the House by a vote of 253-167.