09/01/2005
CONTACT: Michael Diegel, (202) 554-9000
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Dan Danner, executive vice president of the National Federation of Independent Business, the nation’s largest small-business advocacy group, issued the following statement in response to an announcement that the Environmental Protection Agency will waive Clean Air Regulations that artificially limit gasoline supplies during the summertime.
“Small businesses are particularly vulnerable to changes in energy prices, and NFIB has been hearing from its members on the issue of the price they pay at the pump for gas. Certain types of gasoline aren’t made available to consumers until the fall, but the EPA’s decision will allow it to be released two weeks early. This decision will help to alleviate some of the supply pressures that have led to the run-up in gas prices, saving small businesses and consumers money.
“Far too often, governments can be slow to react and are too wedded to a regulatory process to make effective decisions when it comes to the impact that public policy has on the economy. In this instance, the EPA acted swiftly and decisively and in a manner which best benefits average Americans and the small businesses upon which they rely.”
Editor’s note: Small-business owners are reporting to NFIB that they currently are not passing increasing costs for goods and services (including gas prices) onto their customers in the form of higher prices. This signals a likely profits squeeze in the coming months that may prohibit small-business owners from increasing employment and making new business investments. It’s also unclear how long they will be able to hold the line on selling prices.
The National Federation of Independent Business is the nation’s largest small-business advocacy group. A nonprofit, nonpartisan organization founded in 1943, NFIB represents the consensus views of its 600,000 members in Washington, D.C., and all 50 state capitals.
