House panel questions EPA chief on recent regulations

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy offered testimony at a hearing of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee late last week, where several committee members questioned her on recent regulations that have drawn criticism as being overreaching and costly.

“Over the last year, the Environmental Protection Agency has released some of the most expensive and expansive regulations in its history,” U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX), the committee's chairman, said. “A glaring example is the president’s Power Plan. This plan is nothing more than a power grab to give the government more control over Americans’ daily lives. Even EPA data shows that this regulation would reduce sea-level rise by only 1/100th of an inch, the thickness of three sheets of paper. “

McCarthy said the Clean Power Plan is meant to urge other countries to adopt similar measures. In addition to the Clean Power Plan, McCarthy received questions on the agency’s proposed National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) rule on ozone and whether the agency is influenced by environmental lobbying groups.