Competitive Enterprise Institute releases new book as the first part of a major project dedicated to reforming the EPA

Today, the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) released a new book, Modernizing the EPA: A Blueprint for Congress, as the first part of a long-term project focused on reforming the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The book contains specific policy recommendations for Congress to consider when tackling the task of EPA reform.

The EPA arguably has the largest regulatory effect on the lives of everyday Americans compared to other federal agencies. According to the Office of Management and Budget, more than half of all federal regulatory costs can be attributed to the EPA. The agency’s regulations often concern matters of vast political and economic significance that go way beyond what Congress ever wanted the agency to address. 

“The EPA is supposed to protect the nation’s environment but instead uses this mission as a means to regulate major portions of the economy and affect how we live our lives,” CEI’s Director of the Center for Energy & Environment and Senior Fellow Daren Bakst  said. “This can be seen by its recent rules to help kill off gas-powered cars and to shift electricity generation from reliable sources (coal and natural gas) to unreliable sources (wind and solar).”

In response to the EPA’s regulatory overreach, CEI has detailed numerous recommendations that reflect various themes, including:

• Requiring the agency to consider all relevant factors when deciding whether to regulate;
• Acknowledging the current environment’s state;
• Prohibiting agency action outside of what was authorized or intended by Congress;
• Respecting the rule of law, private property rights, and due process;
• Only making regulatory decisions based on transparent science that is open to challenge;
• Reasonably evaluating and assessing risk; and
• Respecting the role of states in protecting the environment.

 “The book  recommends major and much-needed reforms that would help put an end to the EPA’s overreach, including keeping its focus on environmental protection and not using its environmental mission to act like a central planner for the entire economy,” Senior Fellow Marlo Lewis said.

The book also provides significant background and context on the long list of specific legislative recommendations that have been included. “Our goal in developing the book is to provide a strong foundation for making changes to the EPA, including legislative changes to the underlying statutes that it administers,” said Bakst. “The recommendations are intended to be specific and concrete and able to be turned into legislative solutions.”

While all-encompassing reforms to the EPA may take some time to accomplish, CEI, through Modernizing the EPA, will advocate for such  necessary and important agency reforms. In accomplishing this objective, CEI recognizes the importance of working with like-minded organizations and individuals.  “We want to work with legislators, the public, think tanks, and quite simply anyone, to modernize this agency,” said Bakst. “The book is just the start of this important fight.”

Visit the Modernizing the EPA: A Blueprint for Congress website.

For more information on Modernizing the EPA: A Blueprint for Congress, visit CEI.org.