GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (June 2, 2014) — Republican U.S. Senate candidate Terri Lynn Land has some harsh words for the Obama administration after the Environmental Protection Agency announced new rules aimed at cutting carbon emissions.
“My number one priority is Michigan jobs and that’s what I’m gonna fight for,” said Land during a visit to Compatico. “The president’s policies and Rep. Peters’ policies have not been doing that for businesses.”
The EPA on Monday proposed a rule that would reduce carbon emissions by 30 percent by 2030.
“Energy companies have been doing this already,” Land said. “They’ve actually been able to lower their use of coal energy by over 10 percent. I think we need to let them do what they do best, rather than having the overburden and regulation of the federal government telling them what to do.”
Land’s comments were echoed by Compatico chairman and CEO Patrick Mullen.
“The EPA regulations they’re talking about today, all of these increase the cost of doing business,” said Mullen. “When businesses have increased costs, companies like Compatico, that sell products to businesses, have a lot less available opportunity ‘cuz companies just don`t have the money to spend for capital improvements.”
While the long term impact of Monday’s announcement will develop over time, some researchers believe the policies will do more than just improve the air we breathe.
“There will also be economic benefits associated with that,” said Charlie Driscoll, a professor of environmental systems engineering at Syracuse University. “If there’s increased reliance on renewables, if there’s a more flexible energy program, there will be a lot of jobs associated with implementing this rule.”
