Following Monday’s release of a report entitled Powering Down: How Washington’s Ozone Plan Will Snuff Out Ohio’s Economic Recovery, U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci (R-OH) presented a statement to discuss his position on the issue and his concerns for the Ohio economy.
“Significant portions of the country, including Ohio, are still struggling to meet the EPA’s 2008 guidelines, so moving the goalposts now will only lead to more uncertainty and higher compliance costs, which will ultimately be passed onto the consumer,” Renacci said.
The report examines the impact the new ozone standards proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will have on Ohio’s economy. This economic study was originally commissioned by the Center for Regulatory Solutions, a project of the Small Business Entrepreneurship Counsel.
At issue is the EPA’s apparent need for focusing on efforts to dramatically tighten federal ozone levels. Instead of allowing time for the state of Ohio to meet the current standards, the EPA is threatening to once again move the goalposts, making compliance more difficult.
“This new proposal has the potential to directly and indirectly harm jobs and economic growth in the manufacturing, energy, healthcare and construction employment sectors — the lifelines of northeast Ohio,” Renacci said. “Our region has already improved its ozone levels and while further impacts on the environment from this proposed rule are questionable, the rules will be harmful for Ohio’s economy. We need to continue to grow our economy, rather than Washington’s burdensome federal regulatory regime.”
According to the report, several counties in the Cleveland area alone would be found in violation of this federal law, leading to penalties, project bans and delays, increased energy prices and federal interference in state and local issues. These counties account for 30 percent of the size of our state’s economy, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and 26 percent of the state’s employment.
Renacci has represented Ohio’s 16th District in the House of Representatives since 2011. Born in Monongahela, Pennsylvania, in 1958, he previously served as mayor of Wadsworth from 2004 to 2008. Renacci was educated at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and is married to Tina.
He serves on the following committees: House Ways and Means Committee and Committee on Financial Services.