In June 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its proposed Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units (known as the "Clean Power Plan"), citing Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act. The Clean Power Plan sets carbon dioxide emission guidelines for states to follow in developing plans to address greenhouse gas emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired power plants.  By Summer 2015, the EPA will issue its final Clean Power Plan rules, and states will have a year to come up with compliance plans to meet state-specific goals set by the EPA. The EPA reviews each state's plan and either approves or disapproves it. The Clean Power Plan compliance period begins in Summer 2020.

There are two main concerns with how the Clean Power Plan will affect Virginia's economy. First, the Clean Power Plan will affect energy reliability in the Commonwealth. A reliable supply of energy is a foundation of Virginia's prosperity and quality of life. The Clean Power Plan mandates the closure of coal-fired power plants which cannot be replaced without significant time and resources spent in additional infrastructure. During the time of transition, and even after it, the availability of reliable energy in Virginia will be compromised.

Second, the Clean Power Plan will affect energy affordability in Virginia. The Commonwealth's homes and businesses rely significantly on fossil fuels for consistent, affordable energy in Virginia.  The Clean Power Plan limits the use of this affordable energy source and will significantly increase electricity prices paid by consumers.  The Virginia State Corporation Commission estimates the incremental cost of compliance with the Clean Power Plan at $5.5 billion, for just one of Virginia's power companies.  As electricity becomes more expensive, the cost of producing goods and services in all economic sectors increases.  

For these reasons, the Virginia Chamber is supporting HB2291 and SB1365, patroned by Delegate Israel O'Quinn and Senators John Watkins and Ben Chafin. These bills would require the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to assess the impact on Virginia's economy and the Commonwealth's economic competitiveness before developing a state implementation plan to regulate carbon dioxide emissions. This legislation encourages public input and transparency in the development of the state plan.

The Virginia Chamber of Commerce stands ready and eager to work cooperatively with Virginia's legislators to ensure that the EPA's entire greenhouse gas regulatory agenda is cost-effective, attainable and avoids harming jobs and the economy.

Health care mandates require insurance plans to provide coverage for specific treatments, benefits, providers and categories of dependents. Health care mandates raise health care costs and eliminate choice and competition. Mandating coverage increases the already high costs of health care as costs will be passed on to businesses in the form of higher premiums. For these reasons, the Virginia Chamber has historically opposed all health care mandates

There are a number of health care mandates being proposed in the 2015 General Assembly so far. One is HB1948/SB1394, which would limit enrollees' coinsurance or copayment for specialty tier drugs. The bill

requires all those insured to subsidize additional costs, which in turn would cause monthly premiums to increase. Imposing further costs on the health insurance pool is not an effective way to address the high costs of specialty drugs. Specialty drugs make up only 1% of all written prescriptions but account for 25% of the cost of all prescription drug spending. Since there are no cost-control mechanisms in place for the pharmaceutical industry, health plans and their insured individuals are absorbing the increased cost, which is unsustainable.