Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV

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February 26, 2011

Virginia House asks Congress to act on EPA regulations

By BILL ARCHER Bluefield Daily Telegraph

RICHMOND, Va. — Delegate James W. “Will” Morefield, R-Tazewell, a state delegate from the heart of the southwestern Virginia coalfields waited until late in the 2011 session of the General Assembly to introduce a resolution urging Congress to take a “sensible” approach to the its stewardship of the quality of air in the nation and “promote economic recovery and foster a stable and predictable business environment that will lead to the creation of jobs,” by “prohibiting EPA by any means necessary from regulating greenhouse gas emissions, including if necessary de-funding EPA greenhouse gas regulatory activities.”

Morefield introduced House Resolution 72 on Feb. 10. It cleared the House Committee on Rules with a 10-1 vote on Feb. 17, and passed the House on Feb. 23, with a 64-33 vote. The resolution had bipartisan support from Southwest Virginia with Democrats Joseph P. Johnson Jr., and Clarence E. “Bud” Phillips, joining Morefield’s fellow Republicans, Richard P. Bell, Charles W. Carrico Sr., Anne B. Crockett-Stark, James E. Edmund III, Terry G. Kilgore and Robert G. Marshall as patrons on the resolution.

“The proposed EPA regulations would have a direct negative impact on coal production and result in higher utility rates,” Morefield said in response to an e-mail question concerning HR 72. “This should not be a Democrat or Republican issue, but a quality of life issue. From my experience while serving as an elected official, it has been obvious that too many of our elected representatives are more concerned with creating political hype versus proposing real solutions to actually improve the quality of life of our citizens.

“At a time of economic uncertainty, it is irresponsible for our law makers to impose or support regulations that strike at the heart of the coal industry,” Morefield said. “There was extensive floor debate on the resolution, but the resolution did pass and receive bipartisan support. The majority of the opposition came from Northern and Eastern Virginia representatives.

Morefield said he would encourage members of the house who voted against the resolution to “visit the coal fields region” and meet the people who are struggling to pay their utility bills.

— Contact Bill Archer at barcher@bdtonline.com

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