The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed an energy solutions bill that included legislation to check energy-related regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency.

The American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs Act reintroduced Rep. Bill Cassidy’s, R–Baton Rouge, Energy Consumers Relief Act of 2013, which would require the EPA to submit a report to Congress detailing certain cost, benefit, energy price and job impacts of any new energy-related rules estimated to have an economic impact of more than $1 billion.

The act would also require the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with other relevant agencies, to make a determination regarding the rule’s impacts. The EPA would be prohibited from finalizing certain rules if they are determined to cause significant adverse effects to the economy.

Cassidy’s bill initially passed the House last August, but remained stuck in the Senate.

“EPA will put forth regulations that they claim have great benefit and miniscule cost,” Cassidy told the American Press on Monday. “But sometimes there is great cost and little benefit. And by cost we mean jobs lost. The bill would require that review to make sure (the EPA) is on the up and up.”

Cassidy said the EPA can destroy jobs with “a single issuance of regulations.” He added that the agency is trying to destroy the coal industry, adding that the agency is raising the cost of energy for any utility that uses electricity from a coal-fired plant.

“That also increases the rates for homeowners,” he added. “They are now paying 20 percent more for their utilities. They’re not getting a raise at 20 percent.”

The American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs Act passed the House 226-191 with 14 members who abstained from voting. Rep. Charles Boustany Jr., R-Lafayette, voted in favor of the bill.

The legislation now goes to the U.S. Senate for consideration.(MGNonline)