Business Community Expresses Disapproval of White House Decision to Withdraw Revised Ozone Standards; Urge Administration to Defend Remaining Clean Air Regulations
Sep 08, 2011, 02:50 ET
WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Four leading small business groups released the following statement today:
"We—leaders in the business community collectively representing close to 125,000 businesses from across America—express deep disappointment at President Obama's decision to withdraw EPA's revised Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards until reconsideration in 2013, consequently preserving standards for ground level ozone that are recognized by EPA Administrator Jackson to be legally indefensible and unsafe. While the media have described the President's decision to abandon tougher smog standards as a win for industry, it is important to recognize the growing number of businesses that support strong environmental protection.
The President's decision against releasing new ozone standards will harm public health, increase health-related costs for businesses, and increase regulatory uncertainty in the business community. Our experience has shown that clean air yields substantial benefits to the economy and to businesses, and that these benefits consistently outweigh the costs of pollution reductions. With the economy still struggling to lift itself out of recession, American businesses can ill-afford the significant costs imposed by ozone pollution, whose negative impacts burden businesses with rising health care costs and reduced worker productivity.
Rather than hurting job creation, we need sound regulation, like the Clean Air Act, that will serve as a catalyst to innovation and new job creation. This is especially true in the clean energy sector where the U.S. is lagging internationally due to a lack of investment and the federal leadership needed to make renewable energy development a priority. Regulation is often the key to innovation. In the interests of reducing the burden of pollution on businesses, reaping the economic benefits of clean air, protecting public health, and fulfilling the Agency's legal obligations under the Clean Air Act, we strongly urge the Administration to firmly defend EPA's remaining clean air regulations."
Signed,
American Sustainable Business Council
Environmental Entrepreneurs
Green America
Main Street Alliance
The American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC) is a growing coalition of business networks and businesses committed to advancing a new vision, framework and policies that support a vibrant, equitable and sustainable economy. The Council brings together the business perspective, experience and political will and strength to stimulate our economy, benefit our communities, and preserve our environment. Today, the organizations that have joined in this partnership represent over 100,000 businesses and more than 200,000 entrepreneurs, owners, executives, investors and business professionals. www.asbcouncil.org
Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) is the independent business voice for the environment. E2 is a national community of individual business leaders who advocate for good environmental policy while building economic prosperity. E2 takes a reasoned, economically sound approach to environmental issues by relying on fact-based policy expertise. As the independent business voice in the debate, E2 is effective and delivers results at both the state and national levels through its bipartisan efforts. www.e2.org
Green America's mission is to harness economic power—the strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace—to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society. We focus on economic strategies—economic action to solve social and environmental problems. www.greenamerica.org
The Main Street Alliance is a national network of state-based small business coalitions. The Alliance creates opportunities for small business owners to speak for ourselves, advancing public policies that are good for our businesses, our employees, and the communities we serve. www.mainstreetalliance.org
MEDIA CONTACT: Sam Blair, 603-831-1835, [email protected].
SOURCE American Sustainable Business Council, Washington, D.C.; Environmental Entrepreneurs, New York City; Green America, Washington, D.C.; Main Street Alliance, Seattle, WA
WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?
Newsrooms &
Influencers
Digital Media
Outlets
Journalists
Opted In
Share this article