ACC Applauds Inhofe-Johanns Bill Ordering Study of EPA Regulations' Impacts

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Mar 17, 2011, 03:49 ET

WASHINGTON, March 17, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Chemistry Council (ACC) today welcomed a bill introduced by Senators James Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) requiring that federal agencies assess the "cumulative energy and economic impacts" of several U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. Under the "Comprehensive Assessment of Regulations on the Economy (CARE) Act," the U.S. Department of Commerce would lead an interagency analysis of a number of EPA rules.

"We commend Senators Inhofe and Johanns for insisting that the federal government understand how its proposed regulations, taken together, will affect the U.S. economy and jobs," said Cal Dooley, President and CEO of the American Chemistry Council. "Cost-benefit analyses of individual rules are merely a first step. What's sorely lacking is a look at the combined impacts of regulations. To fix the regulatory process, as President Obama has pledged, the administration must connect the dots among its myriad proposals.

"American manufacturing can make a significant contribution to economic recovery, including the creation and maintenance of well-paying jobs," Dooley continued. "To do so, we must have a thorough understanding of how proposed regulations will affect industry. Equally important, the public needs to see the findings, a step the administration failed to take when the Commerce Department analyzed EPA's Boiler MACT rules. In that case, its analysis was never publicly released."

Regulations affecting the chemistry industry to be assessed under the CARE Act include Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) preconstruction review permits for greenhouse gases; National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter and ozone; and Cooling Water Intake Structures under 316(b) of the Clean Water Act.

ACC is calling for federal agencies to improve economic models used in regulatory impact analyses; create consistent standards for considering scientific data used to develop rules; and ensure greater transparency in the rulemaking process in order to better understand methodologies and impacts. ACC expressed these concerns in Congressional testimony last week, and first called for these changes in letters to OMB Director Jacob Lew and Congressman Darrell Issa earlier this year.

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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