NAAQA revisions questioned

The AFPM has commented on the EPA’s decision to make revisions to the NAAQS. The new ruel on fine particulate matter (PM2.5) reduces the current level of 15 micrograms /m³ to 12 of air annually.

Comments

‘EPA’s own data shows that air quality in the US has improved dramatically since the 1970s,’ said AFPM President Charles T. Drevna. ‘The existing standards are clearly working. Under the current PM2.5 standards, emissions have dropped 1.1 million tpy since 2000, signifying a 50% reduction.

‘For the first time in more than 30 years, we have the opportunity to regain global manufacturing superiority. Today’s actions by the EPA will ultimately cost US$ 38 billion per year to implement and could result in the loss of 680 000 jobs, inhibiting progress and sending the nation into an economic tail spin.

‘To the extend that the EPA may be constrained by the current consent decree, the Agency should pursue action to revise such constraints in order to meet its responsibility under the Clean Air Act. EPA’s decision to reduce the PM2.5 standards despite a lack of scientific evidence to support the ruling, demonstrates the Agency’s willingness to acquiesce to environmentalists,’ Drevna concluded.

The details

Against a backdrop of steady progress, AFPM questions whether EPA has sufficient evidence to support a reduction in the PM2.5 standards, which will take decades for state and local municipalities to implement. A more logical course of action is for EPA to take the time necessary to follow the protocols outlined in the Clean Air Act and to propose new standards only when adequate scientific and technical information are available to support such standards.

Adapted from press release by Claira Lloyd.

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/17122012/afpm_on_pm2-5/