Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, today made the following remarks regarding news reports that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reduced the value it places on a human life by almost $1 million over the past 5 years:
Senator Boxer said: "The EPA's decision to reduce the value of a human life when they consider the benefits of new environmental regulations is outrageous and must be reversed."
"EPA may not think Americans are worth all that much, but the rest of us believe the value of an American life to our families, our communities, our workplaces and our nation is no less than it has ever been. This new math has got to go."
"If these reports are confirmed, I will be introducing legislation to reverse this unconscionable decision at the earliest opportunity."
The Associated Press reported late Thursday that the EPA has lowered the statistical value of a human life from $7.8 million per life five years ago to $6.9 million today.
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