EPA fine particulate proposal

API Director of Regulatory and Science Affairs Howard Feldman told an EPA hearing on 17^th July that the agency’s scientific analysis for its proposal on fine particulate air standards was inadequate and could therefore not justify the EPA tightening them. Feldman said that continued implementation of existing standards would further improve air quality.

Comments

‘EPA has not proven a cause and effect between PM 2.5 below the current standards and health effects…Taken as a whole, the scientific studies cut in different directions…There is no need to move the goalposts now.

‘I am encouraged by the progress our nation has made in reducing the fine particle emissions in our skies. The concentration of PM 2.5 in the nation’s air has declined by 24% between 2001 and 2010. The US oil and natural gas industry has significantly contributed to these improvements by developing and manufacturing ultra clean fuels that can be used in the new very low emissions diesel and gasoline engines.

‘More good news is that the improvements will continue…When announcing this proposal, EPA stated that it has issued a number of rules already that will continue to make significant strides towards reducing fine particle emissions in the years ahead. These future improvements are independent of whether any action is taken to change these standards.'

Adapted from press release by Claira Lloyd

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/18072012/epa_particulate_proposal/