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Grimes, McConnell Denounce New EPA Rules

Reaction to President Obama’s new EPA rules was swift in the Bluegrass.

It's an issue that has Senate candidates Mitch McConnell and Alison Lundergan Grimes coming to a rare consensus.

While Kentucky’s senior Senator launched a preemptive salvo last week against the president’s efforts to cut carbon pollution from the nation’s power plants by 30 percent, his Democratic opponent waited until Monday to issue a statement.

In a brief email from the campaign, Grimes says, “President Obama's new EPA rule is more proof that Washington isn't working for Kentucky.” She also promises to fiercely oppose the president’s policies toward the state’s coal industry.

In his latest statement, McConnell blasts the regulations as “a dagger in the heart of the American middle class” and reiterates his intent to offer legislation blocking the rules. Previous attempts by McConnell to rein in EPA authority have been stymied by Senate leadership.

While the new rules are being called some of the strongest actions ever taken by the government to counter climate change, proponents argue the plan is flexible and offers coal-producing states a variety of options to make changes to their electricity systems.

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.
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