Regulatory Inefficiency
by Bill Kovacs
A few weeks ago we published a chart showing the complexity of near-crippling regulations proposed by the Climate Change Bill. Well the game of regulatory hide-and-seek continues (we have seen completely different bills at subcommittee, full committee and now the floor) so we have had to issue a revised chart showing the regulatory structure of the Boxer/Lieberman/Warner Climate Change Bill.
The circles in blue are regulations. Each regulation must undertake all of the procedures that are identified in the yellow section in the center. The black circles are the titles of the bill. All of the red circles are the mandates; some are studies, reports and some of these may turn into future regulations.
In total there are over 300 mandates and regulations in the bill. If you compare this chart with the first chart on the old Lieberman/Warner bill the amount of new regulation being proposed is massive. Moreover, each of the regulations when finalized is subject to being litigated under the Administrative Procedure Act. The actual size of the chart is 4 feet by 5 feet with 12 and 8 point font, to get the full effect take your PDF viewer up to 100% and get ready to scroll like crazy.
This overwhelming regulatory structure would cost the average American household $1,000 to $6,700 annually, according to various economic studies. One study estimated that the bill would result in two to four million lost jobs. The business community wants to be a leader in crafting a logical plan to address climate change, and part of that leadership is pointing out that this is a bill which will take an enormous amount of manpower to implement, will delay action on climate change for years to come, and does nothing to advance the development and rapid deployment of new technologies.
We are not going to regulate our way out of this problem, and ironically the Boxer Amendment may be our best ally in proving that point. As the lack of regulatory clarity and resulting chaos becomes apparent hopefully our leaders will move from the "EPA shall" to the "United States will", and we can begin promoting and funding solutions, not building more obstructions.
Here is a compressed view of the Boxer Amendment. Click for the full PDF.
I understand the the US Chamber of Commerce is supporting illegal immigrants rights. In doing that you're supporting lawlessness. If so, you are so wrong to do that. THEY ARE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND THEY HAVE NO RIGHTS. They need to go back to their country and follow the legal process to come back legally.
I ask that you do what you title elludes to and start working FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. THEY DO HAVE RIGHTS AND THEY PAY THE BILLS.
Posted by: Ruth Raynor | June 12, 2008 at 08:12 PM
OUT WITH THE DEMOCRATS!!!
Posted by: Janet Miller | June 10, 2008 at 04:55 PM
It's time for someone to step in, and take us back to a country FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE. To our detriment, though, we haven't been offered a candidate who can do that. And we're left with our hands tied, fending for ourselves. Very, very sad...and very scary trying to raise kids in this mess...
Posted by: It's Me | June 09, 2008 at 03:37 PM
This bill, and the chart, proves a point I've been long making. Elected officials in Washington, regardless of party, are not interested in the welfare of anyone but themselves. They are arrogant, egotistical, self-centered individuals who don't give a .... about this country. All they care about is getting re-elected, and lining their pockets with money.
I agree - it's time for another tea-party!
Posted by: Bob Dutton | June 04, 2008 at 11:46 AM
You must be kidding - has any senator or congressperson ever had their own business? Do they even comprehend how hard we must work in order to keep people employed and earning a living? It's time for the Tea Party. I can't tell you how mad this makes me. So out of touch.
Posted by: Jerry Novacek | June 03, 2008 at 08:43 PM
Why don't we just take a petition to all gas stations in our cities ask everyone who likes to pay $4.00 a gallon today and looks forward to paying $10.00 a gallon in a few more months to sign?
Then give them a list of oil based products found in their homes, offices, etc. That should create some interesting discussions/comments.
Posted by: Joy Crouch | June 03, 2008 at 06:58 PM
Am I the only person more worried about how to pay for gas as it is now? What is the average American concerned about? Does government need to waste much time debating these things instead of devoting time to more important issues? such as the price of gas? funding our military? the messed up courts? How patient are Americans when it comes to our government? It's time for a change but not just to be changing to make things worse?
Posted by: Kevin Sowards | June 03, 2008 at 05:59 PM