National Mining Association (NMA) President and CEO Hal Quinn issued the following statement today following the defeat (46-53) of Sen. James Inhofe’s (R-Okla.) resolution (S.J. Res. 37) to block implementation of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Utility MACT rule:
“Today’s regrettable vote locks in higher electricity rates for consumers and businesses for the foreseeable future. It’s unfortunate that a number of senators from states whose economies rely on affordable, coal-based electricity could not see their way to supporting their communities and the nation’s economic growth at a time when the need is greatest.”