GOP Mulling Bill To Punish Utility Cos Not Seen As Hostile Enough To Obama Reforms

[hatrack]

Yeah, I know, Politico . . . but it wouldn't surprise me one bit.

GOP lawmakers and industry lobbyists are talking about legislation aimed at reining in power companies after some utilities were seen as being less than friendly to their efforts to block Obama administration climate change rules. Several House Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans and industry lobbyists are pushing for a “Ratepayer Protection Act,” a measure that would limit utilities’ ability to pass along costs to consumers, according to lobbyists close to the committee.

The discussions come after POLITICO last week reported that several top utility CEOs weren’t thrilled with a draft bill from Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) to preempt the EPA on climate change.

CEOs from American Electric Power, NextEra Energy, Southern Co. and Dominion Resources said to varying degrees that they support allowing the EPA to proceed on a “reasonable” time frame on greenhouse gas rules for power plants, petroleum refiners and other major stationary sources. Their comments sparked uproar on Capitol Hill and among industry groups pushing for the bill. Southern Co. CEO Tom Fanning insisted shortly afterward that he does indeed back a proposal that would put an immediate halt to EPA climate rules.

In response to the hubbub, some on K Street are now “beating the drum” for the ratepayer bill, one lobbyist told POLITICO. A ratepayer measure could surface as early as this week. Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.), chairman of the Energy and Commerce Oversight Subcommittee, said he’d like to include such a measure in the bill to block EPA rules. That bill is slated for subcommittee markup on Thursday.

EDIT

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0311/50934.html

[tabatha]

1. Jeez, when does it stop.

These people need to be voted out in large numbers.