Archive for December 14th, 2012

Credit: Rainforest Action Network.

According to a recent release from National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), six major Environmental Protection Agency regulations could cost manufacturers “hundreds of billions of dollars and cause the loss of several million jobs.”

The study, “A Critical Review of the Benefits and Costs of EPA Regulations on the U.S. Economy,” reported industry sources claiming that annual compliance costs for the six regulations will set industry back between $63.2 billion to $138.2 billion. EPA estimates, however, are that compliance would cost a more modest $36 billion to $111.2 billion.

The study examines the cumulative impact of the EPA’s final Utility MACT and Boiler MACT rules, its still-pending Coal Combustion Residuals and Cooling Water Intake Structures regulations, its expected Cross-State Air Pollution Rule and National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Ozone on the U.S. economy, according to the release.

Industry sources say the total capital expenditures required by all six regulations would range from $404.5 billion to $884.5 billion. EPA sources put the expenditures from $174.6 billion to $539.3 billion. Read the rest of this entry »