EPA's Rigged Use of Cost-Benefit Analysis

Mar 8, 2005 by Guest Blogger

EPA's use of cost-benefit analysis in developing proposed mercury control regulations was deeply flawed, according to a GAO report released yesterday. The report examined how EPA used different variables when comparing different proposals so that the cost-benefit analysis was weighted towards the industry-preferred cap-and-trade method. GAO identified "four major shortcomings in the economic analysis underlying EPA's proposed mercury control options:"

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Cap-and-Trade

Cap-and-trade is a method for controlling a variety of pollution emissions by setting an emission standard for polluters and then allowing polluters to trade emissions up to a certain cap. This industry-friendly approach has had moderate success in controlling pollution without putting "undue burden" on industry. However, it is often opposed by environmentalists and public interest groups because while lowering the overall emissions levels, it may increase harmful emissions in some areas. Hot Spots

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Latest Watcher

Mar 8, 2005 by Guest Blogger

Be sure to catch the latest edition of our biweekly newsletter, The Watcher. Reg policy articles in this issue: Senate Nixes New Right for Businesses to Restrict Information Studies on Health Risks from Pollutants Verify Need for Safeguards

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Senate Votes Against Both Minimum Wage Proposals

Mar 8, 2005 by Guest Blogger

In yesterday evening's vote on the minimum wage, neither the Kennedy (D-MA) measure nor the Santorum (R-PA) counter-measure gained enough support to pass the Senate. The Kennedy measure, which would have increased the minimum wage by $2.10 over 26 months, was defeated 46 - 49. Perhaps more importantly, the Santorum measure -- which proposed to raise wages $1.10 but also included harmful changes to labor laws -- was defeated 38 - 61. See this Washington Post article and this OMB Watcher article for more information.

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Senate Nixes New Right for Business to Restrict Information

The Senate rejected today a controversial amendment to a bankruptcy reform bill that would have given corporate special interests new incentives to refuse to provide information necessary for protecting the public.

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Studies on Health Risks from Pollutants Verify Need for Safeguards

Several recently published scientific studies on the negative health impacts of depleted uranium, diesel engines, mercury and urban pollutants underscore the need for stronger environmental regulations to protect public health. In this article:
  • Depleted Uranium May Have Same Health Effects as Lead
  • Diesel Pollution Causes 21,000 Premature Deaths Each Year
  • Mercury Reduces IQs of 300,000 to 600,000 Children Annually
  • Urban Pollution Can Lead to Genetic Alterations, Cancer
Depleted Uranium Not Harmless

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Faith-Based Roundup

House Vote on Jobs Act Would Codify Religious Discrimination, Opponents Await Senate Vote On March 3, the House approved H.R. 27, the Job Training Improvement Act, which would allow publicly funded religious agencies to hire and fire workers based on their religious beliefs. A coalition of organizations had urged the House to reject the bill unless it was amended to ensure that workers could not be discriminated against on religious grounds in federally supported social service programs.

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Independent Sector Report Urges Nonprofit Accountability

On March 1, Independent Sector's (IS) Panel on the Nonprofit Sector presented its Interim Report on nonprofit accountability, calling for voluntary action by nonprofits, increased enforcement by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and action by Congress, to Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA), chair of the Senate Finance Committee. A hearing on proposals for legislative action is expected this spring. The Panel is expected to publish a final report before summer.

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Jones Continues to Misrepresent Rights of Houses of Worship

On March 2, Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC) formally introduced the Houses of Worship Free Speech Restoration Act (H.R. 235). The bill would amend the Internal Revenue Code to allow religious organizations to endorse or oppose candidates and engage in partisan activity as long as it is part of a religious event. Currently, all 501(c)(3) organizations, including houses of worship, are prohibited from intervening in elections. Supporters of the bill claim religious leaders are afraid to speak out on political issues.

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Coalition Opposes Bill to Regulate Independent 527 Groups

A new coalition has formed to oppose passage of the 527 Reform Act of 2005 (S. 271 and H.R. 513). The Coalition to Protect Independent Political Speech sent a letter to Congress signed by more than 100 nonprofits urging rejection of the bill, noting, “These organizations have contributed to the revitalization of American democracy, helping bring millions of people back to the process of governing the country by bringing them back to the polls.” The Senate Rules Committee has scheduled a hearing for March 8.

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