Gina McCarthy Quotes & Sayings

We need an international solution to the challenge of climate change, there's no question about it. But the real key is, can you actually get that - or get that solution - without the US' involvement? Can you not lead domestically, and expect the rest of the world will take action ... the US needs to lead, we need to be out there. — Gina McCarthy

Proponents of efficiency standards argue that they save consumers and businesses money, reduce energy use, and reduce emissions. But families and businesses already understand how energy costs impact their lives and make decisions accordingly. — Gina McCarthy

Even if there's controversy, I'm going to make the decision, and people are going to be happy in one instance and unhappy in the next. But that's the job I've been given and the job I'm going to embrace. — Gina McCarthy

I cannot shy away from controversy. I don't know if it's my Irish blood, but I love it. — Gina McCarthy

The EPA's greenhouse gas regulations, along with a host of other onerous regulations, are unnecessarily driving out conventional fuels as part of America's energy mix. The consequences are higher energy prices for families and a contraction of our nation's economic growth. — Gina McCarthy

People are not running to build coal facilities because of the price of natural gas, but we do see them being constructed, and there is an interest in fuel diversity, so we took the exercise pretty seriously. — Gina McCarthy

When consumers do not take full advantage of efficiency gains, it is because they are weighing other factors that influence their decision making. When the federal government arbitrarily places one of those factors over others, it makes consumers worse off. — Gina McCarthy

When discussing overall impacts on employment, it is important not to overlook the new technologies and industries that can be driven by pollution control standards. — Gina McCarthy

Any first-generation technology will. But we are looking at carbon the same way we look at every pollutant under the Clean Air Act; we look for the new technologies that are available. We recognize that these power plants are going to be around for decades. — Gina McCarthy

There is no threshold level of fine particle pollution below which health risk reductions are not achieved by reduced exposure. — Gina McCarthy

Transparency is all about letting in and embracing new ideas, new technology and new approaches. No individual, entity or agency, no matter how smart, how old, or how experienced, can afford to stop learning. — Gina McCarthy

If coal wants a place in a carbon-constrained future, they have to look at technology like this. And we think that our rule can help stimulate technology, growth, and innovation, bring those costs down, and allow coal a more stable opportunity to continue to be invested in. — Gina McCarthy

States with tremendous oil and natural gas reserves have the most to gain economically from proper regulation. — Gina McCarthy

EPA gets to set a standard for new. For the existing, EPA sets guidelines for what we think is appropriate, but then states develop plans that work for them, taking into consideration their specific energy mix. — Gina McCarthy

But just [proposing the standard] puts companies on notice that if you're looking to construct a new natural-gas or coal facility, you really need to pay attention to these. This is what they should be designing new facilities toward as soon as this proposal hits the streets. — Gina McCarthy

I definitely challenge people. But hopefully, I am working harder than anybody else, and so people won't resent the fact that I want them to work hard, as well. — Gina McCarthy

I love disagreements. I love the democratic process. If I'm in a room where everybody agrees, I start to nod off. — Gina McCarthy

But I will tell you that I didn't go to Washington to sit around and wait for Congressional action. Never done that before, and don't plan to in the future, — Gina McCarthy

We are very confident that the data is showing that carbon capture and sequestration is technologically feasible and it's available. It has been successfully demonstrated and there are full-scale both conventional and unconventional coal projects with CCS that are moving forward. So there is no question that there's continued investment in this technology. — Gina McCarthy

Greenhouse gas pollution, through its contribution to global climate change, presents a significant threat to Americans' health and to the environment upon which our economy and security depends. — Gina McCarthy

Critics play a dangerous game when they denounce the science and law EPA has used to defend clean air for more than 40 years. The American people know better. — Gina McCarthy