CRS Says EPA Accused of Underestimating Costs of Its Rulemakings
The Congressional Research Service has issued a report providing background information on 43 recent major or controversial Environmental Protection Administration regulatory actions that have occurred since January 2009.
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According to the report, for the past two years, EPA has proposed and promulgated numerous regulations implementing the pollution control statutes enacted by Congress. Critics have accused EPA of reaching beyond the authority given it by Congress and ignoring or underestimating the costs and economic impacts of proposed and promulgated rules. CRS states particular attention is being paid to the Clean Air Act, under which EPA has moved forward with the first federal controls on emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and addressed conventional pollutants from a number of industries.
EPA, however, maintains that pollution control is an important source of economic activity, exports, and U.S. jobs. The report provides details on the regulatory actions, presents an estimated timeline for completion of the rulemakings, and EPA's estimates of costs and benefits where available.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 03/14/11 news, 11031446, for BP summary of an EPA official opposing a bill to eliminate portions of the Clean Air Act.)
(CRS R41561, dated 03/21/11)