The National Association of Manufacturers has voiced opposition to the Environmental Protection Agency’s new air-quality regulations, which NAM says will impose significant burdens and increased costs on U.S. manufacturers.
Although the current standard has not yet been fully implemented, under the new regulations particulate matter (PM) standards will be tightened.
The NAM argues that the “scientific evidence does not show any significant association with health effects at ambient concentrations.” As an alternative, the NAM suggested the EPA streamline existing air quality programs wherever possible.
“Changing the standard now, even while the current standard has yet to be implemented, would move the goalposts during the middle of the game, creating investment and business uncertainty,” said John Engler, NAM president. “Manufacturers already spend considerably more on pollution abatement than their global competitors, and imposing excessive and needless new regulations would do nothing to fulfill EPA’s duty to protect environmental quality," Engler said.
There have already been several regulations issued that will make a significant difference in reducing emissions of PM. These include the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) to reduce emissions from power plants in the eastern U. S., and the Clean Diesel Program to reduce emissions from highway, non-road and stationary diesel engines.
Even though the Clean Air Act requires the EPA to periodically review air quality standards to ensure they provide adequate health and environmental protection, it does not mandate that such a review result in revision of an existing standard.
“This further revision of an air quality regulation is further proof that Congress should step in to streamline contradictory and overlapping programs,” Engler continued. “Doing so would ensure continued improvement in the nation’s air quality while sustaining economic growth.”