Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC) today released the following statement applauding the passage of the EPA Regulatory Relief Act of 2011 of which she was a co-sponsor:

"I'm happy to announce today that we have taken an important step in protecting American businesses and job creators from unnecessary government interference. EPA mandates are driving up the cost of production and causing greater pain throughout our economy. This bill directs the EPA to re-propose new, less harmful rules within 15 months; and extends compliance time from 3 to 5 years, giving businesses more time to prepare, sustain jobs, and prosper. We need to balance our energy and environmental concerns in ways that will not punish job creators and this legislation is a step in the right direction."

Thursday evening, the House passed H.R 2250 - The EPA Regulatory Relief Act of 2011. Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-2) cosponsored and voted in favor of this bill which halts harmful EPA rules applying to 200,000 boilers, process heaters, and solid waste incinerators at 92,000 U.S. facilities. The bill directs the EPA to re-propose new, less harmful rules within 15 months and extends compliance time from 3 to 5 years. Without this bill, U.S. companies would face billions in compliance costs, a potential loss of hundreds of thousands of American jobs and would jeopardize successful national recycling programs.

Such burdensome regulations are in direct conflict with the Congresswoman’s core values of strengthening the economy and creating private sector jobs and she is proud to support its passage into law.