The Subcommittee on Energy and Power, chaired by Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY), has scheduled a hearing for Thursday, April 14, at 10:15 a.m. in room 2322 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The hearing is entitled, “H.R. 4775, Ozone Standards Implementation Act of 2016."
Continuing its work examining the Environmental Protection Agency’s revisions to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ground-level ozone, the subcommittee will take on practical challenges states currently face in implementing multiple ozone standards, and other challenges relating to implementation of the NAAQS program. Members will also examine and receive perspectives on H.R. 4775, the Ozone Standards Implementation Act of 2016, introduced by Energy and Power Subcommittee Vice Chairman Pete Olson (R-TX), together with Energy and Commerce Committee members Rep. Bill Flores (R-TX), Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH), and House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA). House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) are also original co-sponsors of the bill.
The bill provides states flexibility to implement the standards on an efficient and realistic timeline, and addresses other technical implementation issues facing states under the National Ambient Air Quality Standards Program.
“Despite the fact that ozone levels have declined more than 30 percent since 1980, and states are just beginning to implement the 2008 standards, EPA has imposed additional standards that present significant challenges for states and local communities throughout Kentucky and the United States. EPA simply doesn’t take into account the very real economic consequences their policies have on job creation, small businesses, and manufacturers," said Chairman Whitfield. “We’re looking forward to hearing the state perspectives on implementation of the ozone standards and receiving feedback on legislation that seeks to ensure states have time and the tools needed to achieve the requirements under EPA’s rules."
The Majority Memorandum, a witness list, and witness testimony will be available here as they are posted. Related Items
* Committee Leaders: President's Change of Heart on Ozone Regulations a "Welcome Breakthrough"
* The Ozone Rule and its Effect on Jobs and Manufacturing State-By-State
* Letter to White House Regarding EPA's Proposed Ozone Rule
* Upton and Whitfield: EPA’s Ozone Regulations Could be a “Last Straw" for Fragile Economy
* Bipartisan Bill Introduced to Allow Cost Effective and Practical Implementation of Ozone Standards
