Contact:

Matt Dempsey Matt_Dempsey@epw.senate.gov (202) 224-9797

David Lungren David_Lungren@epw.senate.gov (202) 224-5642

Inhofe Comments on EPA's Job-Killing Global Warming Rule

Rule Violates the Clean Air Act, Provides No Certainty for Small Businesses

Washington, D.C. - Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, commented today on the Environmental Protection Agency's "tailoring rule" that violates the clear legal requirements of the Clean Air Act:

"EPA's rule carries an implicit recognition that its global warming regulations under the Clean Air Act will destroy thousands of jobs and punish small businesses all across the country," Senator Inhofe said. "EPA makes a legally feeble attempt to postpone the inevitable wave of regulations and energy taxes that will follow from its endangerment finding.  The Supreme Court gave EPA a choice, and instead of protecting jobs and the economy, EPA decided it was better to make consumers, families, truckers, farmers, manufacturers, and any business that uses carbon-based energy pay more for gasoline, food, and just about everything else.

"What's more, EPA's legal basis for the rule rings hollow.  The rule violates the Clean Air Act, and it won't survive legal scrutiny.  Even if the courts uphold the rule, EPA makes absolutely clear that commercial buildings, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and thousands of other small sources eventually will find themselves caught in the web of EPA's global warming regime. 

"In short, EPA is buying political time because it knows the political and practical consequences that will arise from its endangerment finding.  The only way to stop EPA is for Congress to overturn that finding and provide certainty for employers so they can create jobs, expand their businesses, and get America on the path to economic recovery."

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