EPA can't regulate climate change
Declaring carbon dioxide — a byproduct of human existence — a dangerous pollutant would expose every aspect of American life to additional costs and EPA regulation.
It would impose a massive, backdoor energy tax on families and businesses. It would trigger a flood of new regulations and judicial challenges that would affect up to 1.2 million farms, nursing homes, hospitals, commercial buildings and other small businesses.
Regulating carbon dioxide as a pollutant, for example, would require all stationary sources that emit more than 250 tons of carbon dioxide — a threshold that catches even small emitters — to apply for “prevention of significant deterioration” permits for new construction or modifications. The typical PSD permit costs an applicant approximately $125,000, according to the EPA’s own estimate, and takes roughly 866 hours to obtain. If America’s small businesses are forced to operate under these sorts of conditions, it will crush them.
By June 7, the Senate has a chance to pass a resolution that would stop the EPA from regulating climate change through the Clean Air Act.
The Obama administration’s command-and-control approach would have a devastating impact on the U.S. economy. The EPA’s regulations would drive up the costs of red, white and blue energy — the kind of energy that fuels our cars, homes and businesses.
The agriculture sector and rural residents would be especially vulnerable to the EPA’s attempt to regulate climate change. Farmers and ranchers, in particular, oppose carbon regulation because they know it can hurt their businesses and make them less competitive internationally.
Costs created by carbon regulation would be passed down the supply chain from processors to producers to, ultimately, consumers. Meanwhile, farmers and ranchers in other countries would not face carbon regulation.
If we allow the EPA to follow through on using the Clean Air Act to regulate climate change, Washington bureaucrats will have even more control over Americans and their businesses.
The Senate now has an opportunity to make the Obama administration live up to its promise to the American people. The coming vote can ensure that Washington truly knocks down the barriers that prevent small-business owners from getting loans or investing in the future.
Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) is a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee.