May 25, 2016 - Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, tomorrow will deliver the keynote address to the Williston Basin Petroleum Conference in Bismarck, North Dakota. The speech is expected to provide Mr. Trump the opportunity to outline his energy policies. 

“Like millions of Americans across the country who rely on affordable power from coal to keep their lights on and businesses operating, we will be tuning into Mr. Trump’s speech hoping to hear that if elected he will put a stop to the costly and damaging federal power grab favored by the current administration,” said Laura Sheehan, senior vice president of communications for the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity. “As a businessman, we are hopeful Mr. Trump will value all of America’s abundant energy sources and let market forces work, rather than pick winners and losers that costs hundreds of billions of dollars, puts people out of work and undermines America’s economic strength.”

According to NERA Economic Consulting, if President Obama and his EPA’s costly Power Plan is implemented, compliance costs will total more than $300 billion and increase electricity rates in all of the lower 48 states, with 41 seeing double digit increases. Rate hikes of this nature will be especially harmful to low- and middle-income families whose budgets are already constrained by basic necessities.

“With less than six months to go until the polls open, we look forward to hearing how the candidates are going to stand up for the priorities of hardworking Americans by ensuring their electric bill doesn’t break their bank,” Sheehan said.  

The costly Power Plan has been halted by the Supreme Court until its legality is resolved, which is not likely to occur until the next president is inaugurated.