API criticises new EPA ozone regulations

The American Petroleum Institute (API) Director of Regulatory and Scientific Affairs, Howard Feldman, has issued a statement in which he has described the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) forthcoming regulation on ozone as unnecessary and extremely costly. He has additionally indicated that their introduction could stifle economic growth and jobs.

According to Feldman, the challenges of meeting this potential strict new standards would be simply too large; in many places requiring that ozone levels be forced down to or below peak background levels.

For ozone standards of 60 parts per billion, 97% of the population would be living in places out of compliance and subject to new emissions reduction requirements. Operating under such stringent requirements could stifle new investment in these areas, which is necessary to create jobs. Ultimately, this could slow the economy or even drive it to recession.

Furthermore, it has been argued that these strict standards are not justified from a health perspective. The US is making progress towards meeting current standards and, according to Feldman; air quality will continue to improve as Americans continue to reduce emissions that form ozone.

Adapted from press release by Emma McAleavey.

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/31052013/api_criticises_new_epa_ozone_regulations/