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Manhattan Institute Senior Fellow Robert Bryce on the impact of EPA regulations on U.S. energy growth and the economy.
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When in Rome do what the Romans do.
Here's actually what one Environmental Protection Agency official said about willing gas companies.
This was in 2010.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- Crude all right well despite the apology.
-- came later Republican senator James and hop is demanding an investigation.
Calling the comments -- threat.
For more I'm joined by Robin Wright senior fellow of the Manhattan institute Robert welcome back to the show.
-- you -- an expert in oil and gas you followed the EPA are you shocked by these comments.
Well disappointed I think it's if there.
-- I've followed what's happened with the region's six and the EPA and what's interesting about -- Garza's comments.
We made them in 2010 remembered in December of 2010.
That was when the EPA brought an emergency order against range -- resources.
And oil and gas driller for allegedly contaminating water and Parker counting taxes.
And the two sides went back and forth now for months and it was just last month that the EPA after an extended investigation.
Dropped its case against range and admitted that they had no case two and had no case to Begin with so.
I mean this really is that a big black eye for the PA.
The big black eye for the EPA let -- -- is that and a lot of people don't cover this you said region six chili oil patch.
He covers Texas Louisiana.
All the big oil producing states he's the main guy when it comes the EPA's regulation of oil and gas what's more he was deliberately appointed by Obama so this is Obama is man on oil and gas.
This is how he feels about the industry.
And I thought just for fun -- what I would do -- pull up the mission statement from the EPA website.
They don't they -- the backers -- -- -- what they say is the mission of the EPA is to protect.
Human health and the environment.
And then on later they say we don't protect the environment on our own -- no no no we work with businesses nonprofit organizations and state and local governments.
Really now that's what they say on one side but on the other side you have -- that.
Regulators he's bureaucrats have a totally different point of view what do you make of those two faces of the same agency.
Well.
Look I mean this is again it's it's a big black eye for the EPA but I think that.
Some of them some of the spotlight on EPA now needs to be not just on the oil and gas sector but also on.
The EPA's proposed rule that could if if it is allowed to go through would ban all new coal fired power plants in the United States.
This this I think is even a bigger issue Jerry than the one we're discussing now -- the rest is that the Saudi Arabia of coal -- the OPEC of coal and on and yet we are -- the EPA.
We are the EPA under Obama wants to say oh no we want to lock all of that coal underground it just makes no sense.
Well and I it's very possible that the last coal fired plant has already been -- It's -- operation we're done with this source of energy what does that gonna mean for this country in terms of pricing in the future.
Well there you know which -- -- bring it up -- because how could the EPA have made this ruling which just came out on March 27.
How could they have proposed to outlaw coal fired power plants United States they could do it because natural gas prices today.
Are at about two dollars forty years ago this month they were at ten dollars.
So the idea that the EPA can now say oh and -- and they did in their press release.
This ruling will have no effect on -- no cost impact on industry will in fact they're relying on the natural gas sector to effectively save their economic bacon if I can really -- the metaphor here.
But -- but without cheap natural gas they could not have any possibility of eliminating or trying to.
And how are effectively -- fractionally -- this is an administration the believes the only way forward is through.
Green energy solutions that by that they mean -- things like gouging I mean they're talking about all kinds of things that are really out there when it comes -- energy solutions.
What do you make of their trust.
In these Green energy solutions is just not.
Coming together -- -- Well I this it's disappointing again.
That the EPA in the Obama administration are looking at -- what is actually happening in the energy sector.
-- been crunching the numbers just lately Jerry to if you look at him over the last decade global coal consumption.
Increased global coal consumption increased by more than the consumption increase in oil natural gas and nuclear.
Combined.
US coal consumption went down.
Global coal consumption is soaring why because they want what we have and what we take for granted which is electricity.
And so this idea that somehow the US is going to lead on climate change -- were going to make a big difference on carbon dioxide emissions is just fundamentally wrong.
Well at the American public agrees with you know they believe the EPA is hurting the economy 44% of them say that.
And what you do this find when you look at the EPA's record is that they're spending.
They're spending is out of control up ten point five percents since 2009.
They spent 42 billion in tax dollars and five years.
-- this agency that's out of control given what you're saying about the coal fired plants.
Given the record of spending given what Americans say they want out of the EPA.
Well I'll respond this way I think Jerry what what the Obama administration is trying to do with the EPA particularly what it comes to coal.
Is they're trying to do bureaucratic -- what they could not do legislatively.
Right couldn't pass a carbon tax they couldn't pass a cap and trade bill so now they're looking to the EPA and -- Oh using Clean Air Act as a as as a rule as -- as your basis.
For declaring that carbon dioxide is a danger to the US economy a danger to 22.
-- of -- health and America.
It's a fundamental misuse of of there.
There.
Their their mandate.
Which -- we know is only to help us as I bread from their website today.
A 175.
New rules in the offing.
What it come from the EPA and the people would like to crucify some of it.
Companies in this country Robert thanks for coming on the show tonight it was great to have you it's always a pleasure to have you on the show.
