Is the EPA an impediment to economic recovery?
Further evidence that the EPA continues to ignore the damage that its new regulations are causing to the U.S. economy, and to states that depend on coal for jobs and affordable electricity, comes from聽post by Hannah Fjeldsted at the Heritage Foundation.
In her post,聽The EPA: an Impediment to Economic Recovery, she states, 鈥淭he rapid pace and severity of EPA regulations on the energy sector during the past four years illustrates an ongoing problem鈥攖he government鈥檚 impediment to an economic recovery.鈥�
She goes on to say:
鈥淭he EPA鈥檚 mandates have unfairly discriminated against certain sectors of the energy industry, most notably coal, pointlessly killing desperately needed jobs. On top of the regulations that have questionable benefits at best,聽the EPA has withheld permits聽for coal mining that were already approved by other agencies, gratuitously delayed permits, and even rescinded previously issued permits. There are real consequences to actions like this.鈥�
In fact,聽听鲍.厂. Representative Ed Whitfield of Kentucky said,聽鈥淭he EPA, without question, has established an unfortunate trend line, methodically establishing a regulatory framework to eliminate coal, and taking away diversity choices from utilities throughout the country.鈥澛�
础蝉听, we hope for a more constructive working relationship with the next EPA administrator. We will continue to emphasize that the best approach is a more balanced path that recognizes America鈥檚 continued need for coal, and the importance of clean coal technology.
The EPA needs to analyze and understand the full, cumulative economic impacts of its regulations, and not seemingly choose sides when it comes to energy production. 聽American jobs are at stake, as well as access to affordable, reliable electricity that is essential to our economic recovery.
