News from the API

New ozone standards

The EPA’s new proposal to tighten regulations on ozone would be very costly and would fall on top of current standards that are already improving air quality, Howard Feldman, API Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs has said. “The facts are clear: the current standards protect our environment without stifling jobs or harming our economy. We urge the administration to allow the current standards to continue working. When looking at the science, it is clear that the current standards are protecting public health. The nation’s air is getting cleaner, and air quality will continue to improve as we implement the existing standards.”

Ground level ozone in the US declined by 18% between 2000 and 2013, according to EPA data. Feldman continued, “further tightening the standards will not improve air quality any faster, but new regulations will add costs to jobs and the economy. As proposed, the new standards would impose unachievable emission reduction requirements on virtually every part of the nation, including rural and undeveloped areas. Even pristine areas with no industrial activity such as national parks would be out of attainment. Needless to say, operating under such stringent requirements could stifle new investment. This is nonsensical public policy and government at its worst.

“If President Obama is serious about lifting up the middle class and closing the income gap, the last thing his administration should do is threaten jobs and our energy and manufacturing renaissance with unnecessary and costly new regulations.” A new regulation from the Obama administration could cost US$270 billion/y and place millions of jobs at risk, according to a NERA economic analysis.

Natural gas exports

The API has applauded the passage in the House of bipartisan legislation to fast track exports of LNG. API Director of Upstream and Industry Operations Erik Milito said, “today’s strong vote to be followed by a Senate hearing Thursday, shows that lawmakers are working fast to secure America’s competitiveness as an energy superpower. This is a top priority for the new Congress because LNG exports represent a clear cut, bipartisan opportunity to increase domestic energy production, create more American jobs, and protect the security of the US and its allies.

“As the President noted in his State of the Union, America is number one I oil and natural gas production, and every major study, including a recent report from the DOE, shows that LNG exports will accelerate US economic growth. We’re optimistic that House and Senate leaders will be able to quickly come together behind legislation that will benefit the US while helping bolster our allies abroad.”

Edited from press releases by Claira Lloyd

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/29012015/news-from-the-api/