EPA GHG rules: based in flawed logic
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce blog describes the flawed logic underlying the latest round of EPA regulations, which are aimed at CO2 emissions and the U.S. coal industry.
Based on projections from the U.S. Department of Energy, the amount of carbon dioxide emissions that will be reduced from EPA’s power plant rule is equivalent to just 13.5 days of Chinese emissions in 2030!
Perhaps that’s why EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy admitted in a hearing last year that regulations are designed instead to “prompt and leverage international discussions and action.”
As the Chamber blog goes on to note, this mindset completely ignores the fact that there is no agreement with other countries to move on greenhouse gas reductions. Therefore, the Obama EPA is charging recklessly forward with their costly and destructive regulations regardless of the fact that China, India, and other countries have already stated clearly that they will not reduce their emissions. All that these regulations will accomplish is to damage the U.S. economy and cost hundreds of thousands of jobs. That’s hardly a solid leverage point.