Welle testifies at field hearing

RBC I At a field hearing held Monday in Grand Junction, chairman of the House Small Business Subcommittee on Agriculture, Energy and Trade Scott Tipton (R-CO) examined federal energy industry regulations and policies and their impact on small businesses, jobs and consumer prices. The subcommittee heard testimony from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator for Region 8, James Martin, as well as local and state officials and local energy business owners and employees.Specifically, the hearing examined the coal combustion residuals proposed rule, the proposed rule to limit mercury and other air toxics from coal-burning electricity generators the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) regulation of greenhouse gas emissions and potential regulation of hydraulic fracturing in the natural gas industry. The hearing also focused on the permitting and leasing process of the Department of the Interior.Dick Welle, manager of White River Electric in Meeker, Colo., was among the individuals who testified at the hearing. “Over 95 percent of White River Electric’s load is made up of industrial consumers; specifically related to coal, natural gas and oil production and processing. Overreaching regulation that abandons scientific and common sense will be a direct threat to the economic stability in Northwest Colorado,” Welle stated.