NTU urges all Representatives to vote“YES” on H.R. 1705, the Transparency in Regulatory Analysis of Impacts on theNation (TRAIN) Act. Introduced by Rep. Sullivan (R-OK), this bipartisan billwould establish a committee to study the cumulative and incremental economiceffects of several Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations.
NTUhas long argued that in considering the impact of regulatory policies,government agencies often put a heavy thumb on the analytical scale in order toemphasize the benefits rather than the costs. The EPA is one of the moreegregious examples. Earlier this year, NTU released a report authored byeconomist David Montgomery, who found that EPA’s estimate of up to $2 trillionin annual benefits from the Clean Air Act to be highly flawed and based on an econometricallyunsuitable methodology (“willingness to pay”). By more conventionalmacroeconomic estimates – which EPA itself demonstrated – the law couldactually impose an annual cost on the economy of as much as $110 billion by2020.
TheTRAIN Act would ensure more thoughtful deliberation of the effects EPA ruleswill have on the economy, including estimates of the impact on globalcompetitiveness, electricity costs, and employment. With the unemployment rateat 9.1 percent and the risk of another recession increasing, it is imperativethat Congress be better equipped to weigh the costs and benefits of all EPAregulations.
Roll call votes on H.R.1705 will be significantly weighted in our annual Rating of Congress anda “YES” vote on passage will be considered the pro-taxpayer position.
If you have any questions, please contact NTU Federal Government Affairs Manager Brandon Greife at(703) 683-5700