Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox has taken the lead in an effort to protect Michigan's manufacturers and other job providers from the negative economic impact of an environmental lawsuit brought by Attorneys General from three New England states, reports the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000320/DEM039 )

In an astounding move with far-reaching regulatory implications, the Attorneys General of Massachusetts, Connecticut and Maine have filed a lawsuit in federal court to order the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate carbon dioxide emissions under the federal Clean Air Act. Attorney General Mike Cox, in cooperation with Attorneys General from nine other states, has filed a motion to be the lead AG in opposition to the potentially costly lawsuit filed by the New England AGs. The nine states cooperating with Attorney General Mike Cox are: Ohio, Texas, Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Alaska, Kansas and Nebraska.

"The radical lawsuit brought by three small New England states is a backdoor attempt by environmental activists to impose the ill-fated Kyoto Treaty through the courts," said Michigan Chamber President & CEO Jim Barrett. "The New England lawsuit is not supported by current federal law and would be harmful to Michigan and other industrial states."

"According to estimates of the economic impact of the Kyoto Treaty, Michigan could potentially lose as many as 67,000 manufacturing jobs if the New England AGs are successful in their effort to impose unrealistic air emission standards," noted Doug Roberts, Jr., Director of Environmental & Regulatory Affairs for the Michigan Chamber.

"The level of C02 in the atmosphere is a global issue. Unilateral regulation of C02 emissions by the United States would have little or no impact on global climate change," added Roberts. "Worse yet, this type of excessive environmental regulation being advocated by the northeastern AGs would give manufacturers in Michigan and other industrial states an incentive to move their jobs overseas."

"Recently, a growing number of state and federal officials have issued press releases and given speeches about the importance of manufacturing to Michigan. Action speaks louder than words. Mike Cox deserves credit for providing real leadership and taking meaningful action on this key economic issue," Barrett concluded.

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce is a statewide business organization that represents approximately 6,300 employers, trade associations and local chambers of commerce. The Michigan Chamber was established in 1959 to be an advocate for Michigan's job providers in the legislative, political and legal process.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000320/DEM039
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

SOURCE: Michigan Chamber of Commerce

CONTACT: Jim Barrett, President & CEO of Michigan Chamber of Commerce,
+1-517-371-2100

Web site: http://www.michamber.com/