Rep. Jenkins, Sen. Lankford Reintroduce Social Cost of Carbon Bill

Press Release

U.S. Representative Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.) and Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.) reintroduced their legislation on Thursday to prohibit the federal government from using the flawed social cost of carbon and social cost of methane metrics in the rulemaking process.

Their legislation, the Transparency and Honesty in Energy Regulations Act, would bar the use of the social cost of carbon, methane and nitrous oxide in energy and environment rules. This legislation would provide certainty and build upon a recent Trump executive order that canceled the government's use of these metrics. The bill would ensure that future administrations cannot use similar estimates unless subsequently authorized by Congress.

"The Obama administration used biased estimates like the social cost of carbon to push through its anti-coal regulations. These models hide the true economic costs of the EPA's energy and environmental rules, which have eliminated jobs in West Virginia and raised the price of electricity for families. I appreciate that President Trump has put an immediate stop to these damaging regulations, and this legislation will ensure that no future administration can hide behind flawed metrics to justify their regulations. I appreciate Senator Lankford's leadership on this issue in the Senate and look forward to seeing more of our colleagues join us in supporting this important bill," Rep. Jenkins said.

"Many recent significant regulatory actions regarding energy and environmental policy have been based, in part, on a "social cost' calculation that lacked transparency and oversight," Sen. Lankford said. "The Transparency and Honesty in Energy Regulations Act is needed to ensure that strong regulatory analysis and fact-based scientific standards are applied to how energy regulations are created. The president's March 28 executive order is a positive step -- we must ensure that future administrations do not return to flawed metrics. Congressional action is needed to make these policies law, so that future rulemakings adhere to guidance and the Executive Branch does not reach beyond their authority, no matter who controls the White House."

The legislation would prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency, the Energy Department and other agencies from using the social cost of carbon, social cost of methane and social cost of nitrous oxide as rationales for their costly and burdensome regulations. The bill would also ensure that federal agencies are complying with Office of Budget and Management guidelines when developing energy and environmental rules.

Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), John Cornyn (R-Texas) and James Inhofe (R-Okla.) are original cosponsors in the Senate. In the House, original cosponsors are Reps. Rob Bishop (R-Utah), Tom Cole (R-Okla.), John Culberson (R-Texas), Bill Flores (R-Texas), Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), Morgan Griffith (R-Va.), Darin LaHood (R-Ill.), David McKinley (R-W.Va.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) and Steve Womack (R-Ark.).

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