Environmental Attorney warns about EPA Clean Air Proposal.
Press Release Summary:
On "America's Business with Mike Hambrick" radio program, Former EPA General Counsel Roger Martella said manufacturers should closely watch proposal from EPA to explore implications of using Clean Air Act to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. Martella says "When you begin to regulate carbon you effectively regulate energy. And when you regulate energy you effectively regulate the economy..." Martella says EPA's proposal could be detrimental to manufacturing.
Original Press Release:
Former EPA General Counsel Martella Says Business Should Be Wary of EPA Clean Air Proposal
In Radio Interview, Martella says Plan Could Make EPA "Regulator" of U.S. Economy
WASHINGTON, D.C., September 12, 2008 - On this week's "America's Business with Mike Hambrick" radio program, environmental attorney Roger Martella says manufacturers should closely watch a proposal from the Environmental Protection Agency to explore the implications of using the decades-old Clean Air Act to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. Martella says many groups are concerned such a program would hamper economic growth and hurt manufacturing.
WHO: Roger Martella
Partner in the Environmental Practice Group at Sidley Austin law firm in Washington, D.C.
Former General Counsel of EPA
EPA's proposal to use the Clean Air Act to help prevent global warming would give that agency more control of the American economy, Martella says. This has raised concerns :
"When you begin to regulate carbon you effectively regulate energy. And when you regulate energy you effectively regulate the economy. And so many people view EPA's regulation of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases as effectively becoming a regulator, not only of the environment, but of the economy. And it's not just industry that holds that view. Many environmentalists have said the same thing. That when EPA begins to regulate greenhouse gases it will become a very significant regulator of the entire economy, much like the Treasury Department."
Martella says EPA's proposal could be detrimental to manufacturing:
"Some groups would argue that global climate change is a very serious problem and needs to override other concerns. But at the same time, people have argued that EPA, by addressing manufacturing, by addressing energy, will be effectively slowing down the nation's ability to grow, to increase its GDP (gross domestic product), at a time where the economy very much needs help and not further regulation on these issues."
WHAT: "America's Business with Mike Hambrick" is an hour-long radio program airing nationally in more than 60 markets."America's Business" explores the issues and people who make America the world's manufacturing leader. Hosted by broadcast veteran Mike Hambrick, the show features news, commentary and interviews with leading news makers and manufacturers, "the millions of people who make things." To listen to the program, go to www.americasbusiness.org.
