Along with a team of bipartisan federal, state and locally elected officials, U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA) voiced his opposition this week to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) latest ozone regulations proposal.
The Center for Regulatory Solutions (CRS) said the regulation shift would kick three Pennsylvania counties in Thompson’s congressional district – Erie, Centre and Clearfield – out of compliance with federal law.
“This is just another example of the EPA putting forth an unworkable proposal, which is just not realistic,” Thompson said. “I believe we have a duty to the health and prosperity of the communities across the commonwealth, including the well-being of our children and those who have respiratory conditions; however, this lofty proposal is going to create more harm than good.”
The EPAs proposal would lower the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ground-level ozone from 75 parts per billion (ppb) into the 65-70 ppb range.
Counties in violation of the tightened ozone standard will trigger an implementation procedure that would require local and state officials to answer to the EPA for basic permitting and planning decisions. Noncompliance would threaten the state’s ability to open new manufacturing facilities, expand current businesses and invest in infrastructure projects such as new roadways. There are also ramifications that could surface regarding agriculture, in terms of animal feeding operations due to emissions from animal waste and potential limits being placed on pesticide use.
“Pennsylvania ozone emissions have been in decline for several decades,” Thompson added. “With so many small and medium-sized businesses still working for recover from the economic downturn, now is the wrong time to change the rules.”