The U.S. Senate has pushed back a critical vote on a proposal that will strip the EPA’s power to regulate greenhouse gases.
In 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the EPA must exercise its duty to regulate carbon emissions under the authority granted by the Clean Air Act unless it finds that the emissions do not contribute to climate change.
For 40 years, the EPA has been tough on polluters. When the EPA is allowed to do its job, we get a cleaner environment and a healthier population. Many people feel that EPA regulations are too strict, prevent new businesses from starting, prevent established businesses from expanding, and actually are responsible for closing down businesses. Industries who want to keep their operating costs low at the risk of the environment and human health also claim that EPA regulations are too costly and impede investments in America.
President Obama has been very vocal about allowing the EPA to do its job. The Republican Policy Committee believes that the Obama EPA is implementing regulations that will increase the cost of gasoline, electricity and natural gas while stalling efforts to grow the economy at the price of jobs. The Ohio Coal Association believes that this threatens our standard of living.
According to the Sierra Club, for every $1 invested in implementing the Clean Air Act the U.S. economy has enjoyed $30 in benefits. Clean energy actually means more Ohio jobs through our strong solar industry. Ohio’s Clean Energy Law requires Ohio to develop and use 22% renewable energy by 2025. As a result, the Ohio Clean Energy Law guarantees a solar market that provides certainty for the solar industry. Ohio is one of the top producers in the Midwest for solar panel manufacturing and wind turbines. And Toledo has a very strong solar industry.
Senator Brown has come out with his own proposal that would weaken the EPA’s ability to enforce the Clean Air Act. Environment Ohio recommends that we all call Senator Brown soon at (202) 224-2315 to ask that he drop his proposed amendment.
Currently it is unknown when the actual vote will take place.
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