Federal Court Suit Against EPA on Boiler Emission and Coal Ash Standards

E-mail to Rep. Neugebauer:

Randy,

Glenn Hess has an article entitled "House Bills Would Undermine EPA" in the October 24 issue of Chemical & Engineering News. It involves the EPA's issuance of new boiler and incinerator emission and coal ash standards at the end of October.

House Bill 2250 directs the Agency to develop new standards that can be met with existing technology. Is there something wrong with that? Is it reasonable to expect industry to conform to regulations which are not attainable using current technology, and in consideration of present budget deficits, joblessness, etc.?

The EPA has been operating on the basis of absolute considerations only of environmental contamination with the use of legal controls on industry, and without consideration of economic factors. That is obviously an unreasonable position.

House HR 2250 will go nowhere, because it will not be supported in the Senate and would be vetoed by the President. The net result is that, since it is not a matter of primary public interest, the House is only making a statement. However, without some additional action, the EPA will go on its merry way of instituting another restriction, which will grossly and negatively affect our economy.

I strongly suggest that the House file suit against the EPA in federal court to obtain an injunction to postpone institution of the EPA boiler, incinerator, and coal ash standards, on the basis that it would do nonrepairable damage to an already ailing economy.