Ohio Manufacturers Association Reports Regulations Will Increase Energy Costs & Kill Jobs  

Recently, the National Economic Research Associates released a study that found unelected bureaucrats at the EPA are creating burdensome emissions regulations that could kill over 53,000 jobs in Ohio and increase electricity rates by 13 percent.

This is devastating news for families in Ohio and it’s worth noting that liberal U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown had an opportunity to rein in these job-killing regulations, but decided to vote against an amendment that would have stopped the EPA from implementing their job-killing regulations.

Earlier today, an editorial from the Ohio Manufacturers Association appeared in the Columbus Dispatch outlining the effects of these burdensome regulations from the EPA.

Unfortunately, the U.S. Environmental Agency is in the process of implementing a number of costly emission-control regulations that threaten to upset that delicate balance — putting jobs at risk and driving up the cost of business at a time when our nation is struggling to recover from one of the worst economic downturns in history. … National Economic Research Associates, a firm that evaluates economic impacts for government agencies, associations and businesses, in a preliminary analysis for the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity projects that Utility MACT and CSAPR will result in 1.4 million lost jobs nationally over the next nine years, including 53,500 jobs in Ohio. And that’s net job losses, because the research takes into account jobs created by the two new rules as well those that will be lost.  Additionally, according to NERA, utilities’ compliance costs for the two regulations would total $17 billion annually and electricity costs in Ohio would increase by about 13 percent. (Kevin Schmidt, Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, Columbus Dispatch, 10/20/11)

“When given the opportunity to stop the unelected bureaucrats at the EPA from implementing their job-killing regulations – which will kill 53,500 Ohio jobs and increase electricity rates by 13 percent – Sherrod Brown chose to do nothing,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesman Jahan Wilcox.  “With 536,000 unemployed Ohioans it’s clear Brown would rather rubberstamp Barack Obama’s job-killing agenda into law, instead of standing up for the people of Ohio.”  

BACKGROUND

Despite Acknowledging That EPA Regulations Could Be “Burdensome,” Brown Voted Against Blocking The Agency From Regulating Carbon

Brown Voted Against An Amendment Which Would Have Blocked The EPA From Regulating Carbon Dioxide And Other Greenhouse Gasses. “McConnell, R-Ky., amendment no. 183 that would block the EPA from regulating carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.” (S. 493, CQ Vote #54: Rejected 50-50: R 46-1; D 4-47; I 0-2, 4/6/11, Brown Voted Nay)

Brown Told The Obama Administration That EPA Regulations Could Be “Burdensome” And Could Harm Economic Growth. “A key Midwestern Senate Democrat on Monday called on the Obama administration to reconsider its approach to greenhouse gas regulation, as EPA critics weigh their legislative options for blocking the new rules. Ohio’s Sherrod Brown called the new permitting requirements for large emitters ‘burdensome’ and said they could harm economic growth, echoing the concerns of industry and GOP lawmakers.” (Geof Koss, “Ohio’s Brown Is Latest Senate Democrat To Criticize EPA Greenhouse Gas Rules,” Congressional Quarterly, 2/28/11)

• Brown: “Without Careful Consideration, The Unintended Consequences Of Imprudent Regulation Could Ultimately Undermine Our Shared Objectives Of Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions And Spurring Economic Growth.” (Senator Sherrod Brown, “Sen. Brown To President Obama: Reconsider Approach To Greenhouse Gas Regulation,” Press Release, 2/28/11)