Washington, D.C. – Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, voiced support for two pieces of legislation, the EPA Regulatory Relief Act (H.R. 2250) and the Cement Sector Regulatory Relief Act (H.R. 2681) during an Energy and Power Subcommittee hearing today.  These bipartisan bills would reverse a collection of job-crushing regulations proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and ensure that the EPA develop practical, achievable standards for industrial, commercial and institutional boilers and incinerators.

“The anxiety caused by the federal government’s regulatory overreach is smothering any possible chance of an economic recovery,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers in her opening statement to the Subcommittee.  “According to a study conducted by the Council of Industrial Boiler Owners, if left final, every $1 billion spent on mandatory upgrades to comply with the Boiler MACT rules puts 16,000 jobs at risk.  The full cost of the Boiler MACT rules alone could be $14.4 billion – which puts 224,000 jobs at risk.”

On March 21, 2011, the EPA published four highly-complex rules setting new standards for more than 200,000 boilers, process heaters and incinerators.  In response to these new regulations, Rep. McMorris Rodgers joined seven other members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee to introduce the EPA Regulatory Relief Act.  This was the first committee hearing on the legislation since it was introduced in June.

“The Boiler MACT and Cement MACT regulations – if not changed – will have a disastrous effect on our economy.  It is imperative we pass this legislation to spur economic growth, help job creators, and implement real, sustainable regulatory reform.”

To view the EPA Regulatory Relief Act, click here.