Simpson Votes to Slow Down EPA Regulation
Washington,
March 3, 2016
Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson supported H.R. 4557, the Blocking Regulatory Interference from Closing Kilns (BRICK) Act which passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 238-163. The bill would extend the compliance dates pending the completion of judicial review for the Brick Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) air quality rule issued by EPA that sets strict standards for brick industry emissions. “Like many EPA regulations, the Brick MACT rule is being challenged in the courts,” said Simpson. “At this point it is unfortunate – but not surprising – that the EPA is overreaching into yet another sector of our economy. In Idaho we know all too well about the EPA’s attempts to reach into our State regulated waters.” In 2003, EPA promulgated standards for the brick industry that were later struck down by a federal court. However, brick manufacturers were already forced to comply with the standards before the legal status of the rule had been determined. The current rule was finalized last September and is being challenged in federal court. “H.R. 4557 is common sense legislation that simply allows for the judicial vetting of a regulation before brick manufacturers are forced to comply with burdensome standards,” said Simpson. “When you look at the thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in economic impacts, the stakes are just too high to move forward without an appropriate review of the rule.” The Brick MACT standards proposed by EPA are estimated to cost industry between $25-100 million per year to comply with the rule, and would put at risk 7,000 jobs the industry supports. |