WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Bakers Association’s (ABA) President and CEO Robb MacKie testified before the House Energy and Power Subcommittee today discussing the negative impact EPA’s Tailoring Rule would have on the baking industry. EPA’s potential lowering of its regulatory thresholds combined with the costs of Title V permitting and prevention of significant deterioration rules could be economically devastating for bakers. “In 2009, Administrator Jackson promised that EPA would not regulate ‘every cow and Dunkin Donuts,’ but that is what would happen if bakers need to consider their CO2 emissions from dough. Yeast cells, which are living organisms, help dough rise and create CO2 as a byproduct, like we do when we breathe,” said MacKie. “The bottom line is that the cost of overly-broad proposed rules that regulate natural, agriculture-related CO2 will force American families to pay more for baked goods,” MacKie concluded.
According to EPA’s own calculations, the food industry represents less than two tenths of one percent of emissions contributing to climate change and bakers are only a fraction of the food processing sector. No one knows how expensive these requirements would be, but as an example, some states have forced bakers to consider emissions controls that have ranged up to as much as $80,000 per ton removed. Contrast that to less than $1,000 per ton to scrub sulfur from a coal-fired power plant and a mere $80 per ton to dispose of municipal garbage.
About the American Bakers Association:
The American Bakers Association (ABA) is the Washington D.C.-based voice of the wholesale baking industry. Since 1897, ABA has represented the interests of bakers before the U.S. Congress, federal agencies, and international regulatory authorities. ABA advocates on behalf of more than 700 baking facilities and baking company suppliers. ABA members produce bread, rolls, crackers, bagels, sweet goods, tortillas and many other wholesome, nutritious, baked products for America’s families. The baking industry generates more than $70 billion in economic activity annually and employs close to half a million highly skilled people.
Source: American Bakers Association