Romney energy plan shows candidate’s changing views, draws questions on job claims

By Steven Mufson and Juliet Eilperin, Published: June 8

The energy chapter of Mitt Romney’s “Believe in America” economic plan is chock-full of statistics and job claims — numbers that will get a closer look after the recent dismal employment figures.

One of the controversial estimates in the plan is that new ozone regulations under President Obama would cost the U.S. economy 7.3 million jobs — more than all of the Americans who are now working for makers of apparel, automobiles, airplanes, machinery, paper, plastics and rubber, rail cars, beverages and cigarettes, and food and livestock products, as well as those working in mining or oil and gas extraction.

Some economists say the number is a stretch. And it may be moot, since Obama overruled the Environmental Protection Agency and shelved new ozone regulations in September, angering environmentalists.

The Romney campaign says that the “Believe in America” booklet went to press the day before Obama’s action on ozone rules. Nonetheless, Romney’s campaign Web site still asserts that the Obama administration “has pursued numerous regulations that would drive up energy prices while destroying millions of jobs.”

It is just one in a slew of Romney attacks on Obama’s energy policies. The Republican presidential candidate talks about building nuclear plants, opening up virtually every part of U.S. land and waters to oil and gas drilling, exploiting coal and stripping the EPA of much of its authority, especially when it comes to regulating greenhouse gases.

To read the entire article go to: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/romney-energy-plan-shows-changing-views-draws-questions-about-job-claims/2012/06/08/gJQAnPANOV_story.html