Environmental Leader

The EPA’s move to toughen ozone clean-air rules isn’t sitting very well with groups representing manufacturers, oil refiners, paper mills and other industries, The Hill reports.

EPA’s proposed standards seek to reduce ozone levels from 84 parts per billion, the current level, to between 70 and 75 parts per billion. The agency will take public comment for 90 days following publication of the proposal.

The proposed rule would have a “very detrimental impact on manufacturing employment, while in our opinion providing only nominal, if any, health benefits,” said Bryan Brendle of the National Association of Manufacturers.

The American Forest and Paper Association said efforts in Congress to boost production of alternative fuels like ethanol would make it even more difficult to comply with new ozone rules.

Charlie Drevna of the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association said the EPA’s proposal “could result in further negative impacts on American businesses as they attempt to compete in a global marketplace.”   

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