Councilman to Testify Before Congress on GenOn Closing

Rob James has been invited to testify on March 20 about the deactivation of the Avon Lake electric generating station to the U.S. Senate Subcommittee for Clean Air and Nuclear Safety in Washington, DC. 

Texas-based , which owns the plant, its Avon Lake facility in April 2015.

James will testify at the “Oversight: Review of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Mercury and Air Toxics Standards for Power Plants” hearing.

James' testimony will focus on the impact of the closure of the power plant on the city of Avon Lake, the and Northeastern Ohio.

“I look forward to communicating the significant effect the closure of the GenOn facility will have on Avon Lake to members of the U.S. Senate. While I believe in responsibly protecting the environment, the loss of the power plant will severely impact the residents of Avon Lake," James said. "I hope that a balance can be found between environmental regulation and the ability of the facility to provide jobs, taxes and support to the community.”

James, elected to City Council in November of 2011, is the chairman of the Environmental Committee and a member of the Economic Development Committee for Avon Lake City Council.

An attorney in private practice, James currently represents clients on energy, environmental and other business matters.

He is a former assistant attorney general with the Office of the Ohio Attorney General, where he represented the State of Ohio and state agencies and officials, including the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.