After a lengthy and bitter Senate dispute over the filibuster as it applies to nominees, Gina McCarthy was confirmed as the head of the EPA about three weeks ago. She is already on the offensive, pushing a positive message and denying that policies championed by herself and President Obama will kill jobs. In her first speech as the EPA leader, she pressed for progress.

“Can we stop talking about environmental regulations killing jobs? We need to cut carbon pollution to grow jobs. We need to cut carbon pollution to strengthen the economy. Let’s approach this as an opportunity of a lifetime/ There are too many lifetimes at stake.”

It is pretty clear that the Obama Administration believes that green polices will create long term employment opportunities. They cite the need to reduce carbon emissions as the inspiration for a shift in energy reliance to renewable energy. The naysayers, comprised primarily of Congressional Republicans and Energy insiders, insist the ‘war on coal’ already has cost jobs, and will continue to do so, citing examples such as the Chase Power plant that was recently scrapped, along with the facilities 4,000 jobs.

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It is very likely that both sides are correct; the squeeze of regulation is needed to force Energy providers into being green, and expanding jobs in that sub-sector.

To read the full story from the Washington Times, click here.