Small Business Reacts to EPA Power Plant Rule

TRENTON (August 3, 2015) – The EPA’s new power plant rule will drive up costs for small business owners and drain their customers of discretionary income, said the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) today.

“That’s a deadly combination for the small business sector,” said NFIB State Director, Laurie Ehlbeck.  “Operating expenses will increase as the cost of electricity rises and customers will have less money to spend on Main Street.  It’s a recipe for fewer jobs and slower growth.”

The EPA today finalized its so-called Clean Power Plan, which imposes on states harsh carbon limits for electricity production that will force them to close down the coal-powered generators that now provide the vast bulk of America’s power.  It requires the states to increase the percentage of power they generate from alternative sources, like wind and solar, which are far weaker and more expensive.  Even the EPA estimates that the cost of electricity will increase substantially.

“In such a densely populated state like New Jersey, small businesses will be hit particularly hard by this new rule,” said Ehlbeck.  “Energy is necessary to provide every service and manufacture every product.  With such little open space to create alternative forms of energy, we will be disproportionally impacted by higher electricity prices. These costs will have to be passed on to consumers, leaving us all with higher prices across the board.”

In addition to higher prices the EPA rule could undermine the reliability of America’s electricity grid.  

“We’ll be more heavily reliant on forms of energy that aren’t reliable,” said Ehlbeck.  “Even if we can find the room for solar or wind farms, the sun doesn’t always shine and the wind doesn’t always blow.  To the extent that we’re dependent on those forms of energy, we’re creating our own supply shortages.

“Small businesses need affordable, dependable electricity to serve their customers and this regulation undermines both,” she continued.