Energy Consumers Relief Act of 2013 Up for House Vote This Week

EPA has the most onerous regulatory agenda of all Federal Agencies. According to CEI’s Regulatory Report Card, EPA regulations cost the US economy $353 billion per year. Many of these costs are forced onto consumers in the form of higher energy prices. Such astronomical amounts are nearly double the second most expensive agency, Health and Human Services. Given the egregious results of unlimited regulatory authority, it comes as no surprise that the House of Representatives will this week debate and vote on the Energy Consumers Relief Act of 2013 to staunch the excessive burdens on consumers.

The Energy Consumer Relief Act requires EPA to submit the estimated costs and job impacts of all energy related regulations in excess of $1 billion. Moreover, the Act gives the Department of Energy authority to block any regulations deemed to have significant economic impacts.

EPA for far too long has had meager oversight. With the revelations of former EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson’s false email accounts, as well as a significant power grab against state’s rights through regulatory disapproval, it is no surprise the House is likely to vote for stricter accountability.  Enacting inter-agency review to check the seemingly inexorable growth of EPA would be a strong step towards reasserting Congressional oversight over an out-of-control bureaucracy.

Unfortunately, the Democratic-controlled Senate is unlikely to consider this good-government legislation.