EPA Rule Impoverishes Minorities

WASHINGTON, June 11, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) released a study on the threat of EPA regulations to low-income groups and minorities. The study finds that EPA's so-called "Clean Power Plan" will inflict severe and disproportionate economic burdens on poor families, especially minorities. In particular, the rule will impose the most harm on residents of seven states with the highest concentrations of Blacks and Hispanics.

"The EPA's carbon dioxide regulation is a slap in the face to poor and minority families," said NBCC President and CEO Harry Alford. "These communities already suffer from higher unemployment and poverty rates compared to the rest of the country, yet EPA's regressive energy tax threatens to push minorities and low-income Americans even further into poverty."

Below are key findings from the study:

• EPA's rule increases Black poverty by 23% and Hispanic poverty by 26%.
• In 2035, job losses total 7 million for Blacks and nearly 12 million for Hispanics.
• In 2035, Black and Hispanic median household income will be $455 and $515 less, respectively.
• Compared to Whites, Blacks and Hispanics spend 20% and 90% more of their income on food, 10% and 5% more on housing, 40% more on clothing, and 50% and 10% more on utilities, respectively.
• The rule will especially harm residents of seven states with the highest concentrations of Blacks and Hispanics: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, and Texas.
• EPA's rule harms minorities' health by forcing tradeoffs between housing, food, and energy. Inability to pay energy bills is second only to inability to pay rent as the leading cause of homelessness.

"EPA's apparent indifference to the plight of low-income and minority households is inexcusable," concluded Alford. "We should pursue policies that expand opportunity for the less fortunate, not ones that further disadvantage them. The only solution is for EPA to withdraw its rule."

Dr. Roger Bezdek, president of Management Information Services, Inc., authored the study.

To read the full study, click here.

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SOURCE National Black Chamber of Commerce