Snowe Opposes Overturning Clean Air Rule

U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) today opposed an effort in the Senate initiated by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) to overturn a clean-air rule designed to reduce pollution from Midwest coal-fired power plants.

Senator Snowe said:
“For far too long, Maine has been the ‘tailpipe’ of the nation, receiving little benefit from coal-fired facilities and all of the detriment. I have long been deeply concerned about Maine’s pollution problem, and we must move forward with cost-effective regulations that save Maine lives. While many parts of the country rely on relatively inexpensive coal power, the health effects from this cheap energy source are borne by the people of Maine. It is unacceptable that these costs are simply transferred from one region to another and that is why I have strongly supported reducing this pollution with cost-effective technologies. The clean-air rule, as written, is a reasonable solution to the problem New England states experience from Midwest pollution and Congress should not block it.