Unnecessary change will negatively affect communities
27 Mar '08
2 min read
NPRA, the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association, stated that the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed rule that would lower the current standard for ozone even further is unnecessary, and will negatively impact communities that will be deemed in nonattainment.
“Changing the current standard isn't necessary because it is working as intended and air quality is improving,” NPRA President Charles T. Drevna said.
“States have been in the process of developing their plans to meet the current standard and are only now beginning to implement them.
The scientific basis for the change has been criticized by independent experts for being flawed, and the costs will be enormous for the communities that cannot attain the new standard.
“At a time when analysts are warning of an impending recession, the last thing the federal government should do is impose a standard that would reduce growth and result in higher costs for consumers without requisite health benefits.”
Did You Know? • According to EPA data, emissions from the six key pollutants dropped 54 percent between 1970 and 2006 even as the economy grew dramatically. National average ozone levels have dropped 21 percent since 1980.
• Implementing the new standard would affect low-income families the most because of resulting increased energy and transportation costs.
• New nonattainment designations will negatively impact small and large businessesalike, and limit economic growth in many urban and suburban areas.