I expect such statements from the likes of Manchin and McKinley, but here is the quote that troubles me.
"Kessler said he would like to see the EPA guidelines changed so that plants like Kammer would be able to remain viable producers of electricity, adding he will work to make that change happen."
JBK
Both Anger And Optimism Voiced On Fate of Plant June 10, 2011 By J.W. JOHNSON JR. Staff Writer , The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
Congressman David McKinley said Thursday that the more than 240 West Virginia workers affected by the closure of five American Electric Power plants deserve an explanation, not from AEP, but from the federal Environmental Protection Agency and, ideally, the president.
"President (Barack) Obama and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson should come to West Virginia and see first-hand the faces of the folks that no longer have jobs because of their extreme regulatory policies," he said.
McKinley, R-W.Va., is one of many local and state representatives who voiced anger at Thursday's announcement that AEP's Kammer Plant could be closed by 2014 as a result of proposed EPA regulations.
Representatives from AEP said the plant would close under the company's new compliance plan, which was introduced Thursday. The plan would close five plants in West Virginia and one in Ohio in an effort to become compliant with the proposed regulations. The move would affect 60 employees at the Kammer Plant and 242 statewide.
McKinley said that decision is the best example of why unemployment numbers are so high across the country, and he hoped Obama would accept his invitation.
"Just this week the president said he is concerned that we are not producing jobs as quickly as he would like it to happen," McKinley said. "The men and women who lost their jobs at American Energy Power know exactly why we continue to hemorrhage jobs, and that is an ideologically driven agenda that is out of touch with working men and women and businesses large and small."
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said he would make himself available to the AEP employees affected by the closures and that proposed EPA regulations are an example of government run amok.
"It's decisions like the one made by AEP that demonstrate the urgent need to rein in government agencies like the EPA, preventing them from overstepping their bounds and imposing regulations that not only cost us good American jobs, but hurt our economy," he said. "Onerous regulations issued by the EPA are the reason that 242 West Virginians will lose their jobs, and that's simply wrong."
Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., echoed Manchin's statement, adding that in this instance, the EPA did not properly analyze the situation to understand the loss of jobs and increase in cost to consumers.
"This is a perfect example of the EPA implementing rules and regulations without considering the devastating impact they may have on local economies and jobs," she said, adding she will be drafting a letter to Jackson to see documentation that economic impact was taken into account when creating the new regulations.
Representatives from Marshall County said they were notified of the planned closure Thursday morning by AEP representatives, though many of them chose to remain optimistic about the news. Delegate Mike Ferro said the news was "devastating," especially after recent talk of bringing an ethane cracking plant to the county had officials expecting an economic boost.
"Now all of sudden you kind of get kicked a bit," he said, adding he hoped those involved would have "a change of heart."
State Sen. Jeff Kessler said although AEP has said a number of the 60 employees would be reaching retirement age in the coming years and that the company would attempt to find new positions for the remaining employees, he is not interested in job creation by attrition.
"I am more concerned about long-term growth and maintaining a vibrant work force in Marshall County," he said. "We have to see if we can pick up the slack."
Kessler said he would like to see the EPA guidelines changed so that plants like Kammer would be able to remain viable producers of electricity, adding he will work to make that change happen.
County Commissioner Jason "Jake" Padlow said he was glad AEP gave employees such advance notice - nearly three years - and that he hoped that was enough time for the county to show that it deserves to keep the plant.
"Hopefully with what is going on in Marshall County with the increase in business and industry, we can convince them to change their plans," he said.