Proposed EPA regulations may overstep boundaries, hurt poor families

By Ethan Barton, Ethan Barton

Published December 20, 2015

Proposed regulations by the Environmental Protection Agency may hurt low-income families and small businesses and could overreach its authority, according to testimony heard before a House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee.

The agency's proposed regulations require significant decreases in carbon emissions and ground-level ozone, and would greatly extend the agency's authority over land use by redefining affected waterways.

"We love our air and our mountains and our streams," said Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, chairman of the full committee. "But I do worry about how severe the EPA is in its approach. Let's also understand that there are impacts to jobs and the economy and people's livelihood."

Ranking Member Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Mich., however, argued that the regulations were reasonable.