WASHINGTON, DC - The Energy and Power Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY), today held a roundtable entitled, “EPA’s Proposed Ozone Rule: Potential Impacts on Manufacturing and Jobs." The roundtable discussion builds off the committee’s ongoing work to highlight the potentially devastating effects on jobs and economic growth in many areas of the country from EPA’s proposed revisions to the current National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ground level ozone - what some suggest could be the EPA’s most expensive regulation ever. Communities across the country have only just begun to implement measures to comply with the current standard. EPA, however, is proposing to change that standard despite the fact that EPA’s own data indicate that ozone levels have decreased by over 30 percent since 1980, and will continue to decline under the current standard.
Various panelists from across the country discussed how the EPA’s proposed ozone rule could impact their cities and counties and could put jobs at risk in the manufacturing industry and other key sectors of the economy.
Panelists from left to right: Mayor Jerry Mouton of Deer Park, Texas, Mayor Larry Waters of Sevier Country, Tennessee, Chris Norch, President of Denison Industries, George Williams, CEO of PMI Energy Solutions, Gregory Johnson, Director of Legislative Affairs at the Sherwin-Williams Company, and Joseph Stanko of Hunton & Williams LLP
Chairman Whitfield leading the discussion at today’s roundtable
Chairman Ed Whitfield concluded, “Today’s roundtable discussion reinforced what we have been hearing all along regarding the potential impacts of the EPA’s proposed regulation. As our economy continues to recover, we should allow states and localities time to achieve the current standard before increasing regulatory burdens. Our panelists provided valuable insight into how EPA’s proposal could harm consumers, manufacturers, small businesses and jobs all across the country. It’s clear that EPA should reconsider its proposal and allow states the time necessary to fully comply with the existing standard."
For information on how this proposed regulation could affect you and your state, click here. See Also
* Bipartisan Bill Introduced to Allow Cost Effective and Practical Implementation of Ozone Standards
* OPINION: Bob Latta, Akron Beacon Journal: "With ozone rule, a ‘no grow zone’"
