EPA Critics Should Recognize Real Causes of Rising Gas Prices

WASHINGTON (March 10, 2011) – Gas prices are soaring because of political unrest in the Middle East, and some members of Congress are blaming the Environmental Protection Agency?

Following is a statement from Dan Lashof, Director of the Climate Center at the Natural Resources Defense Council:

"The EPA is working to promote cars that get better gas mileage and save American families cash at the pump. And it's acting to protect our health by keeping clean the air we breathe. All lawmakers should support those efforts instead of trying to undermine them.

"And they should stop misleading the public by blaming the rising prices on forthcoming EPA standards to limit carbon dioxide pollution from refineries that have not even been issued yet.

"Bumper-sticker politics won't lower gas prices or protect our health. Let's get serious about ending our oil addiction."