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Small Business Majority is a nonprofit, nonpartisan small business organization founded and run by small business owners and focused on solving the biggest problems facing small businesses today. We represent the 28 million Americans who are self-employed or own businesses of up to ioo employees. Our organization uses scientific opinion and economic research and works with our network of more than 25,000 small business owners to understand and represent the interests of the sinall business community. I'd like to offer comments today on the small business perspective on EPA standards that would limit carbon emissions from new power plants, and their impact on America's 28 million small businesses and the economy as a whole. Over the last 40 years, the Environmental Protection Agency has proven itself as much a protector of our economy as of the public's healtli, and ive see new EPA standards under the Clean Air Act as a key component to progressing toward a clean energy economy and to creating jobs. That view is based upon the fact that during the last two decades under the Clean Air Act, Gross Domestic Product has inereased by 64% while emissions of the most common air pollutants have declined by 41%.1 Contrary to misleading claims from opponents of clean energy and environmental safeguards, reducing pollution is good for business, and the Clean Air Act has proven to be a wise investment for long-term economic growth. Studies show that the econoinic benefits of the Act have far exceeded the costs to businesses. According to the Office of Management and Budget, the total economic benefits of the Clean Air Act are estimated at more than 4 to 8 times the costs of compliance? Additionally, between 2010 and 2015, capital investments in pollution controls and new generation will create an estimated 1.46 tnillion jobs, or almost 300,000 year-round jobs on average for each of those five years. The EPA's proposed rule that would limit greenhouse gas emissions from new power plants will help sptir innovation and provide opportunities for small businesses. And this standard is supported by the vast majority of entrepreneurs. Our opinion polling found three-quarters of small business owners are in favor of requiring new power plants to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. What's more, 56% would still support this standard even if it means an increase in utility rates. Our polling also found that 52% of small businesses support the EPA regulating carbon emissions from existing power plants that cause climate change, and another 65% support the EPA's rules to reduce mercury and other toxic emissions that get into the air from power plants. Six in io agree expanded use of renewable energy sources can have economic benefits for small business owners and almost 7 in io support increasing automotive fuel efficiency standards.

' Small Business Majority economic research: THE CLEAN AIR ACT'S ECONOMIC BENEFITS: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE, October, 2010, http://www.smallbusinessmajority.org/energy/index_national_economic.php ' Small Business Majority econoinic research: THE CLEAN AIR ACT'S ECONOMIC BENEFITS: PAST, PRESEN'I' AND FUTURE, October, 2010, http://www.smal Ibusinessmajority.org/energy/index_national_economic.php

© 2013 Small Business Majority •(202) 828-8357 • 1101 14th St., NW, Suite f001Washington, DC 20005We know that small business owners also sttpport key strategies needed to reduce pollution and

transition to a clean energy economy. Small Business Majority's recent national poll of small business owners fottnd 569 ~ of entrepreneurs believe government can play an important role in creating financial incentives that help small businesses take energy efticiency measures, saAng businesses money and reducing energy consumption. Small business owners also believe government investments in clean energy have an important role in boosting our national economy and creating jobs. Our polling found 71% of small employers believe it's important government continues to invest in clean energy.
While 57°Jo percent of small businesses reported their businesses will be impacted by EPA oversight of carbon and other emissions—including i in 4 who say they will be majorly impacted— as I stated earlier, 56% still support the EPA regulating greenhouse gas emissions even if it means a possible increase in utility prices. As our polling shows, small businesses believe a clean energy economy that includes robust clean energy standards is rife with economic possibilities. Entrepreneurs understand clean energy can stimulate the economy and create new jobs now, and believe we should be investing in this area to spur gro%vth. Despite strong small business support, efforts to set standards reducing carbon emissions have been blocked over and over. That comes at the expense of our economic ftttttre.
It's important the EPA know its proposal to limit greenhouse gas emissions from new power plants is one small businesses stipport. Thank you.

<<) 2013 Small Business Majority 2 www.smallbusinessmajority.org