Bill Would Reform the Process for Implementing New Ozone Standards
WASHINGTON (February 27, 2017) – The American Chemistry Council (ACC) today welcomed the reintroduction of the Ozone Regulatory Delay and Extension of Assessment Length (ORDEAL) Act by Senator Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.). The bill would give U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) more time to review and revise National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), ensuring a more certain regulatory environment for state air-quality agencies and businesses.
“We applaud Senator Flake for striving to bring greater certainty to the regulatory process while protecting public health. Many state agencies need more time to fully implement new air quality standards, while manufacturers with plans to build or expand need sufficient time and guidance to understand new rules. The ORDEAL Act is an important step forward, and we urge swift passage by both chambers.
“Forcing states to try to meet a lower standard without ample time and consideration could inhibit American manufacturing investment and expansion. In the chemistry industry, companies are investing in new facilities and expanded production capacity made possible by the shale gas revolution. At last count, 294 projects with a cumulative value of $179 billion are online or in some stage of development. The investment could lead to more than 700,000 permanent new jobs across the U.S. economy by 2023.”
Emissions of common air pollutants and their precursors
have fallen substantially, according to EPA. Between 1980 and 2015, total emissions of the six principal air pollutants dropped by 65 percent, even as U.S. gross domestic product grew by 153 percent and U.S. population increased 41 percent. Voluntary and regulatory programs will continue to reduce ozone concentrations through 2030.