I am writing on behalf of the Palmetto AgriBusiness Council (PABC) in support of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposal to increase consistency in considering of benefits and costs in future rulemakings under the Clean Air Act. It is essential that federal regulatory review be made in an objective manner to determine whether regulations are likely to produce a benefit rather than harm. This proposal will promote accountability among regulators and enforce transparency on any new regulations that might impact the cost of doing business for those engaged in agriculture, members of the forestry community and other associated argibusiness operations.
PABC's mission is to sustain the economic viability of South Carolina's largest industry - agribusiness, which contributes $42 billion to the state's economy and provides over 200,000 jobs. Our members recognize the importance of being environmentally responsible and respect the need for regulations to protect our natural resources. But we need to ensure that the regulation process is conducted to produce sound, objective decisions that are in the best interest of both the environment and the affected businesses. Sound cost-benefit analysis would help improve the rulemaking process and produce more effective and efficient regulations in the future. For the agribusiness industry, our economic well-being is affected by over burdensome regulations that threaten to negatively impact the cost of doing business. With this new rule, agribusiness owners will be able to develop long-term economic strategies with the knowledge of what regulatory framework is in place.