Charleston Leader

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, representing West Virginia and serving as the Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, issued a statement concerning the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) new Waste Emissions Charge regulation. This rule is part of the Methane Emissions Reduction Program under the Inflation Reduction Act.

"The Biden administration is continuing its anti-consumer agenda by implementing the natural gas tax enacted by Democrats in the Inflation Reduction Act," stated Capito. She expressed concerns that this tax would increase costs for consumers and decrease domestic energy production, potentially benefiting foreign adversaries. Capito added, "American voters firmly have said ‘enough,’ and rejected Democrats’ destructive energy policies last week." She looks forward to collaborating with colleagues and President Trump to repeal what she termed a misguided tax in the next Congress.

Capito has previously voiced apprehensions about how the EPA's program could raise taxes on American energy. In December 2023, she joined fellow Republican members of her committee in addressing a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan. The letter highlighted significant issues with a proposed rule on methane emissions reporting, urging reconsideration and revision.