Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. letter to A. M., November 12, 1997

ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR. BUDGET ASSISTANT MAJORITY WHIP Congress of t|)E fLlmttb States Sjousc of &eprc5tntattors ©Masbington, 2D£ 20515-2002 November 12, 1997 14101 838-2517 Thank you for expressing to me your concerns about the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. I benefit by hearing your views. I share your concern for EPA’s tendency towards “mission creep” that is so well documented by the Forbes article you cited. Perhaps the most odious of EPA’s plans is a proposal to tighten National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Under Administrator Browner’ s proposal, the number of “non-attainment areas” will jump from 75 to approximately 326, a fourfold increase. President Clinton’s Council of Economic Advisors has determined that the full cost of attainment is $60 billion. The Small Business Administration has characterized EPA’s proposed action as, “certainly one of the most expensive regulations, if not the most expensive regulation, faced by small businesses in ten or more years.” I oppose the NAAQS proposal because EPA has not proven that the immense costs of implementing these regulations will be offset by commensurate public health benefits. To that end, I am a cosponsor of H. R. 1984, a bipartisan bill which will delay implementation of the enhanced NAAQS for four years. Be assured that will continue to oppose attempts by EPA to exceed its legislative mandate as granted by Congress. Once again, thank you for bringing your views to my attention. Please contact me again if I may be of additional assistance. Very truly yours, Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Member of Congress