Obama-EPA Agenda Continues To Cripple US Economy

Washington, D.C. - Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, today warned that the Obama-EPA's proposed tightening of environmental standards is the latest in a long line of EPA actions that fails to balance economic concerns with protecting health and the environment. The EPA announced a proposal today that would further tighten the Particulate Matter NAAQS standard from 15 micrograms per cubic meter of air to between 12 and 13 micrograms per cubic meter of air.

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"Despite the ongoing economic challenges facing our country, the Obama-EPA continues to roll out strict environmental standards that cause severe economic strain on state and local communities, millions of lost jobs, and skyrocketing energy prices," Senator Inhofe said. "It's as though they don't understand the economic pain that Americans are feeling today: even as we continue to make environmental advancements, the Obama-EPA is persistently going to the extreme. "Amazingly, the EPA is saying that this latest tightening of the standard will not cause any economic pain. Well, EPA Regional Administrator Curt Spalding was caught on tape admitting the truth that EPA's regulatory barrage designed to kill coal will be 'painful every step of the way' because it will devastate the many communities throughout the country that rely on coal. But this admission is not surprising coming from an agency whose top officials have openly proclaimed that EPA's 'general philosophy' is to 'crucify' and 'make examples' of American energy producers. "An overwhelming bipartisan majority of my Senate colleagues have said the time is now to rein in the Obama-EPA. Next week, they will have the opportunity to vote on a measure that would send EPA back to the drawing board on a rule that is the centerpiece of President Obama's war on coal. By supporting my resolution, my colleagues can take the first step towards stopping an agenda that will be 'painful every step of the way' and regaining the balance between economic growth and environmental progress."