U.S. Chamber Calls for Transparency on EPA's Endangerment Finding

Costs to Consumers Would Be Unprecedented; Americans Deserve Answers

WASHINGTON, D.C.- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to exhibit transparency in moving forward with a rulemaking on regulation of greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act, warning of the unprecedented cost to American businesses and families. Simultaneously, the Chamber petitioned the EPA for an "on the record" formal hearing, before a neutral party, to openly review the data the agency is using to justify its endangerment proposal.

"The administration has imposed strict requirements for transparency in the regulatory process, however, in this case EPA has been anything but," said William Kovacs, the Chamber's senior vice president of Environment, Technology and Regulatory Affairs. "This regulation could impose the most significant cost on Americans than any other government program in history, yet on the key scientific data required to make the finding-specifically, the link between greenhouse gas emissions from new cars and so-called 'endangerment' of public health or welfare-EPA plays fast and loose with the facts."

"In the endangerment proposal, EPA routinely ignores relevant, credible scientific information that contradicts its findings, including information generated by EPA's own staff," continued Kovacs. "If they're going to move forward with their regulatory cascade to regulate almost every aspect of the economy from lawn mowers to large churches and ranchers with over 25 cows, then they need to be open and transparent about the justification and impacts."

"Administrator Jackson promised that she would ensure EPA will address environmental issues with 'overwhelming transparency' and there is no better regulation to start with than the endangerment finding," said Kovacs.

In April, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson issued a proposed finding that targets six greenhouse gases that it says endanger U.S. public health and welfare. Although EPA did not attach regulations to the finding, taking such action could lead to regulation of greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act, which could jeopardize construction projects, limit the nation's domestic energy production and halt any further economic development in the United States. Last month, EPA issued a notice that it plans to issue regulations under the Clean Air Act to address vehicle greenhouse gas emissions in a joint rulemaking with the Department of Transportation.

"The Chamber is not calling into question the existence of global climate change," continued Kovacs. "But the American public does not realize what is coming down the road with this regulatory disaster, and that's because EPA is playing hide the ball. Someone needs to keep the agency honest, and the Chamber is happy to do it."

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

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