W.Va. Chamber Responds to New EPA Rules
June 2, 2014
Charleston, W.Va. – The West Virginia Chamber of Commerce was highly critical of the new rules announced by the Obama administration that are intended to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. U.S. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy announced the new rules Monday morning.
A quick read of the new rules shows they are likely to have a harsh impact on the nation’s economy and more specifically, states whose economies are closely tied to energy exploration and production. A report by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for 21st Century Energy has estimated the U.S. GDP will be $51 billion lower with 224,000 fewer jobs each year through 2030 because of the new rules.
West Virginia Chamber President Steve Roberts stated, “What is most baffling about President Obama’s new rules is that reports indicate they will only reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1.8% while the global carbon emission levels are expected to increase by 31% between 2011 and 2030. That is just unnecessarily hindering our economy while the rest of the world waves and passes us.”
Roberts continued, “The Obama Administration seems incapable of changing course to create jobs, speed the slowest economic recovery since World War II and help strengthen families. A government of regulatory nightmares, more opportunity for lawsuits, less productivity and more emphasis on bigger government with more people dependent upon public assistance seems to describe the last 5 ½ years under the Obama vision for America.”
The West Virginia Chamber of Commerce will continue to work for sound policies that lead to American competitiveness, energy independence and prosperity and opportunity for working families.