House Republicans on Monday unveiled a draft bill that would delay implementation of the Clean Power Plan until all legal challenges have been dealt with and give states the power to veto it.

The bill was drafted by Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.), the energy and power subcommittee chairman, with the backing of several others, including Fred Upton (R-Mich.), the chairman of the House energy and commerce committee.

“This bill is about protecting families and jobs. It gives states the time they need before expensive and legally shaky new rules put affordable, reliable power at risk,” Upton said.

According to the EPA plan, states must submit plans to the agency by mid-2016 outlining how they intend to meet their individual carbon emission targets from power plants.

But the plan faces a number of legal challenges, and Whitfield’s bill would delay the deadline for submitting and implementing state plans until all court challenges have been dealt with.

It would also let state governors veto the plans if they consider them to put power supply at risk or adversely affect electricity users.

The energy and power subcommittee will hold a hearing on the draft bill on Apr. 14.

By Stian Reklev – stian@carbon-pulse.com