Yes, your exhalations are now officially considered a public danger by the federal government. The fact you continue to breathe is, according to the EPA, a bad thing.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will early next week, possibly as soon as Monday, officially declare carbon dioxide a public danger, a trigger that could mean regulation for emitters across the economy, according to several people close to the matter.

We’re in the middle of a deep recession, the unemployment rate is expected to spike again after the holiday season comes to a close, and many companies are barely affording to stay out of bankruptcy. Hey, this seems like the perfect time to implement additional regulations on production.

Such an “endangerment” decision is necessary for the EPA to move ahead early next year with new emission standards for cars. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson has said it could also mean large emitters such as power stations, cement kilns, crude-oil refineries and chemical plants would have to curb their greenhouse gas output.

The announcement would also give President Barack Obama and his climate envoy negotiating leverage at a global climate summit starting next week in Copenhagen, Denmark and increase pressure on Congress to pass a climate bill that would modify the price of polluting.

It’s great for Al Gore, great for Congressional liberals, great for environmental groups…great for everyone except America’s companies and workforce.

This doesn’t come free to employers. They’ll need to redirect funds towards complying with these regulations rather than, say, continuing to employ you and your neighbor. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, representing over 3 million businesses across the United States, has already warned that the EPA’s move will further harm the country’s economy.

Because if there’s one thing we really need right now, it’s more Americans out of work and more federal government interference in the private sector.