Reid blocks McConnell’s bill to thwart EPA carbon rules

Reid promised to work with McConnell to hold a vote on the bill at a later date, but McConnell said the measure was needed now because the administration is expected to preview regulations on carbon emissions this week.

{mosads}“We have a genuine emergency in Kentucky … as a result of what this administration is doing and about to do this week,” McConnell said. “The EPA’s actions ignore the fact that thousands of Kentuckians depend on coal for their livelihood.”

This summer, President Obama announced that he would direct the EPA to craft carbon emissions standards for new and existing power plants within the United States. Republicans immediately decried the plan as “Obama’s war on coal.”

The EPA is slated to propose draft rules for future plants this week, while draft carbon rules for existing plants are scheduled to be proposed by next June.

McConnell said his bill would also speed up permitting for coal mining projects because the EPA has tried to “stifle” new mining.

McConnell is facing a tough primary challenge from a Tea Party candidate.