Echols: ‘Oklahoma At The Forefront’ Of EPA Push-Back
Oklahoma House primed for EPA fight over air standards
By RANDY KREHBIEL World Staff Writer
Legislation setting up a showdown between Oklahoma and the Environmental Protection Agency over air quality standards advanced from the state House of Representatives on Thursday.
House sponsor Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, said Senate Bill 676, by Sen. Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, would assure Oklahoma standing in an anticipated lawsuit against the federal government to block implementation of new carbon emission regulations on coal-fired generating plans.
“We want to make sure Oklahoma is on the forefront of this,” Echols said.
As amended on the House floor Thursday, SB 676 sets out conditions for what is called a state implementation plan, or SIP. The state must submit an SIP to the EPA or risk having a federal plan imposed.