EPA Adds New Clean Air Regulations Despite U.S. Congressional Opposition
September 16, 2011 Kyriaki (Sandy) Venetis Despite some recent semi-successful congressional attempts to limit clean air regulations, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has just finalized the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule, which is designed to prevent the drift of harmful, airborne pollutants from one state to another.
Dan Lajiness protests in Houston, Texas. Photo from1999 Smog Jog.
“Nationwide, the transport rule will cut millions of tons of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide pollution from power plants – emissions resulting in dangerous soot and smog in the air we’re breathing,” said EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson in remarks.
Jackson defended the need for the new rule, saying, “By reducing this ozone and particle pollution, which is linked to costly and life-threatening health problems, such as asthma, heart attacks, and premature deaths, we anticipate up to $280 billion in annual benefits (from reduced healthcare costs).”
Republicans are crying their usual mantra that anything that helps the environment will kill jobs. Republican Texas House Representative Bryan Hughes issued a statement on the Cross-State Pollution Rule, saying, “It’s no wonder that fewer and fewer people trust the federal government. If the EPA is allowed to implement this new rule, they will kill hundreds of jobs, raise the cost of electricity, and could even cause blackouts in electrical service.”
Hughes went on to say, “I spoke with officials at the Texas Attorney General’s Office to ask them for help, and I am happy to report that they are already on the job. They’ve filed papers directly with the EPA to challenge this power-grab. The next step will be to bring a case against the EPA in federal court.”
Jackson shot back at critics that claim the environmental regulations cost too much, saying, “Those health and environmental benefits far outweigh the annual cost of complying with the rule, which is estimated at about $800 million in 2014, along with roughly $1.6 billion per year in capital investments already underway.
“To comply, power plants in states covered by the rule can install widely available pollution control technology. Many power plants have already made these investments. The flexible structure of this rule allows sources to choose other compliance options, as well, giving them the flexibility to find the most cost-effective way forward.”
Specifically for California, the EPA also proposed this month to approve ozone air quality plans for the San Joaquin Valley and South Coast areas, which would reduce the amount of pollutants industry can release into the atmosphere to 0.08 parts per million in 8-hour increments.
In the San Joaquin Valley, the district rules would reduce pollution from open burning, boilers, composting, and livestock operations. In the South Coast, the marine vessel rules and district rules targeting pollution from solvents, lubricants, and boilers are expected reduce ozone pollution, according to the agency.
The EPA plans to provide a 30-day public comment period on its proposed 8-hour ozone action plan.
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