WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today commented on the release of Environmental Protection Agency climate regulations for new power plants:

“I’m very disappointed by this latest rulemaking from the EPA,” Murkowski said. “Despite opposition, the administration has charged ahead with command-and-control regulations that will drive up energy costs for all Americans. And today we find that they are even willing to mandate the use of technologies that don’t exist on a commercial scale. This is the wrong way to advance our energy and environmental objectives.

“The administration does not have the ability to will technologies into existence by sheer force of the rules it imposes on American energy producers. Instead, a longer-term commitment to basic, scientific research is required for the technological breakthroughs that we all seek and support.

“Today’s rulemaking also doubles down on a plan to circumvent elected representatives in Congress, even as we debate an energy efficiency bill on the floor of the Senate. That legislation represents a smarter strategy for job creation, economic growth, and environmental progress.

“The President has said he can’t wait for Congress, but these rules show that he was never serious about working with us in the first place.”

The new regulations issued today by EPA will disproportionately affect fossil fuel-based electric power plants, which have been and remain a foundation for reliable and affordable energy in America.

Murkowski and Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, wrote to President Obama earlier this week requesting that he work with Congress prior to imposing these new regulations. The full letter can be found here.