Jackson Says Delay in EPA Efforts On Climate Change Would Cost Jobs

Denying the Environmental Protection Agency the ability to limit greenhouse gas emissions would cost jobs, not save them, according to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson.

Denying the Environmental Protection Agency the ability to limit greenhouse gas emissions would cost jobs, not save them, according to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. "Supposedly these efforts have been put forward to protect jobs," Jackson said in a speech at the National Press Club. "In reality, they will have serious negative economic effects."

Jackson was responding to efforts in Congress to prevent EPA from moving forward with its proposals to limit greenhouse gas emissions from cars and light trucks, as well as from new and modified stationary sources such as power plants and refineries.

"The clean cars program could be put on indefinite hold, leaving American automakers once again facing a patchwork of state standards," Jackson said. "Without a clear picture of greenhouse gas regulations, there will be little incentive to invest in clean energy jobs. America will fall further behind our international competitors in the race for clean energy innovation."

"Finally, the economic costs of unchecked climate change will be orders of magnitude higher for the next generation than it would be for us to take action today," Jackson said.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) has introduced legislation (S.J. Res. 26) with 40 cosponsors that would overturn EPA's finding that greenhouse gas emissions endanger public health and welfare. Similar legislation has been introduced in the House.

Separately, Murkowski has asked Jackson for clarification on the likely effects of proposed climate change regulations on emissions sources and on the economy. In a letter to Jackson , Murkowski asked how greenhouse gas regulation under the Clean Air Act would affect small sources, such as schools, hospitals, and small businesses. And, she asked for a statutory definition of the entities she has described as the "smallest sources."

Murkowski also asked for an analysis of the economic costs and job losses that would result from regulation of emissions from small sources.

Page 1 of 51
Next Page