ACC Applauds House Lawmakers' Call for Release of Commerce Study on EPA Boiler Rule
Economic and Jobs Impacts Must Be Understood Before Rule is Finalized
WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Chemistry Council today applauded a request by Congressmen Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.) and Fred Upton (R-Mich.) for release of a U.S. Commerce Department economic impact analysis of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Boiler MACT rule. The lawmakers' request, contained in a letter sent to Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today, asks the Department to 'share the study's findings with Congress, other administrative agencies, and the American public.'
"We commend Congressmen Whitfield and Upton for their initiative in calling for release of this important study, and we echo their request," said Cal Dooley, President and CEO of the American Chemistry Council. "We are very concerned about any regulatory proposal that would undermine our members' ability to invest in the United States, protect high-paying domestic manufacturing jobs, and remain competitive in global markets. Economic impacts must be understood before EPA completes work on the rule."
"While EPA has suggested no or minimal economic and jobs impacts from the proposed boiler rule, industry and even another federal agency have a different view," Dooley continued. A study by IHS Global Insight on behalf of the Council of Industrial Boiler Owners projects high capital costs and the loss of hundreds of thousands of American manufacturing jobs, while formal comments by the U.S. Small Business Administration warned EPA of significant new regulatory costs for America's small businesses, institutions and municipalities.
The American Chemistry Council (ACC) represents the leading companies engaged in the business of chemistry. ACC members apply the science of chemistry to make innovative products and services that make people's lives better, healthier and safer. ACC is committed to improved environmental, health and safety performance through Responsible Care®, common sense advocacy designed to address major public policy issues, and health and environmental research and product testing. The business of chemistry is a $674 billion enterprise and a key element of the nation's economy. It is one of the nation's largest exporters, accounting for ten cents out of every dollar in U.S. exports. Chemistry companies are among the largest investors in research and development. Safety and security have always been primary concerns of ACC members, and they have intensified their efforts, working closely with government agencies to improve security and to defend against any threat to the nation's critical infrastructure.
SOURCE American Chemistry Council
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