Mississippi Senate tells EPA to 'back off'

Senators on Tuesday passed a resolution by 36-10 urging the Environmental Protection Agency to rescind its controversial Clean Power Plan.

The EPA's goals for Mississippi require a 40 percent reduction of carbon dioxide by its three coal-fired power plants by 2030, and it suggests several strategies to make it happen — including making its plants more efficient, increasing renewable energy sources and launching energy conservation programs.

Mississippi has until the end of the year to submit its plan.

"In order to meet EPA mandates that are out there, the cost of electric power in Mississippi is going to skyrocket. It would actually raise rates if it goes into effect," said state Sen. Terry Burton, R-Newton, while introducing the measure on the Senate floor.

Burton called the federal agency's mandates unrealistic and said Mississippi already has taken steps to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions.

The resolution tells the EPA, "We are doing our part. Stay off our back," Burton said.

But state Sen. Hob Bryan, D-Amory, argued the resolution attempts to thwart the EPA's continued efforts to clean the nation's water and air. He reminded his colleagues that, prior to the creation of the federal agency, water pollution was so bad that the Cuyahoga Riverin Ohio caught fire.

He also chastised the Senate for dabbling in federal affairs while neglecting state issues.

The resolution is in lieu of an earlier effort by some lawmakers to pass a law bogging down the EPA plan with red tape.

Two bills, which ultimately died, would have delayed Mississippi's compliance with the federal rule for months — or longer — until ongoing legal challenges might deem EPA's plan illegal and render the entire effort moot.

Such legislation drew objection from DEQ Executive Director Gary Rikard, who in February asked lawmakers not to interfere.

Contact Emily Le Coz at (601) 961-7249 or elecoz@jackson.gannett.com. Follow @emily_lecoz on Twitter.