Also, the legislation passed by the House provides 90 percent of the permits for regulated entities -- such as electricity companies -- each year for free. That means a utility would have to come up with just 10 percent of what they need each year.
According to Hill's office, several utility companies including Duke Energy expressed support for the House bill after the changes were made.
Hill said it's because the utility-bill increase suggested by opponents of the bill is a lie, as the changes to the measure should keep energy companies from raising rates substantially.
He added the Environmental Protection Agency is able to make the emission regulations without the consent of Congress, which Hill believes would really cause utility prices to skyrocket.
He said many of the same questions were raised when Congress was cracking down on sulfur emissions, but added that legislation has worked well.
"We are trying to use history as a guide," Hill said.
While Hill has been questioned by those against the act because they feel it's overbearing, there also has been criticism from many environmental groups that the measure doesn't go far enough.
He believes that's a sign that the bill is fair.
"Somewhere in the middle has to be the right solution, and I think we have passed the right bill," Hill said.
SO YOU KNOW
--According to Rep. Baron Hill, the following electric and energy companies have expressed support for the bill:
Duke Energy, Exelon, PG&E Corp., FPL Group, Austin Energy, National Grid, PNM Resources, Avista, NRG Energy Inc., PSE+G, Edison Electric Institute, ConEdison, Constellation Energy, Entergy and Renewable Fuels Association
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