EPA Issues New Rule to Curb Interstate Smog

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued a revised version of its Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “final rule” on Wednesday aimed at curbing nitrogen oxide pollution—a key component of smog.

In order to preserve air quality for people living downwind, the rule targets power plants in 23 states and other industrial facilities. This type of rule is deemed unacceptable by the EPA. “Good Neighbor Plan,” It states that the rule was intended to stop smog-causing pollutants traveling across state borders.

“The final rule will improve air quality for millions of people living in downwind communities, saving thousands of lives, keeping people out of the hospital, preventing asthma attacks, and reducing sick days,” The agency stated.

According to the EPA, the new rule will help prevent 1,300 premature deaths as well as more than 2,300 emergency and hospital visits by 2026. The agency estimates that the rule will reduce asthma incidence by 1.3million cases, prevent 430,000 school absences, and prevent 25,000 lost days over the next three year.

Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.In a Wednesday press release, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), who is the chairman of Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, praised the EPA rule.

“More often than not, downwind states unfairly bear the burdens of air pollution from our upwind neighbors,” Carper stated. “That is especially true in Delaware, where more than 90 percent of our air pollution comes from outside our state. The air pollution blowing into Delaware from our upwind neighbors not only negatively impacts the health of our most vulnerable but also creates an economic burden for our state.

“The ‘Good Neighbor’ Plan is about making sure that all states do their part to clean up the air we breathe and I applaud EPA’s work to prioritize the health and well-being of all Americans with this final rule,” Carper added.

Noha Haggag, an attorney for the Environmental Defense Fund, also said the new EPA rules “It will clean up smokestack pollution that has not been controlled well, save lives, provide vital protections for millions of citizens, and help to protect their health.”

The new EPA rule would place new regulations specifically on the use of reciprocating internal combustion engines in natural gas pipelines; kilns in cement manufacturing; boilers and reheat furnaces for iron and steel mills, ferroalloy manufacturing, metal ore mining, basic chemical manufacturing, petroleum and coal products manufacturing, and pulp, paper, and paperboard mills; and solid waste combustors and incinerators.

Critics Say Rule Hurts US Industries, Power Grid

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), the ranking Republican member on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, said in a statement that, “This regulation will not only be burdensome for 23 states because it has overreaching emission reductions requirements to power plants but also targets key industries essential to our economy like iron, steel, cement and pulp and papers.”

Moore Capito said the EPA’s description of the regulations as a “Good Neighbor” plan was misleading. She described the rule as part of a broader effort by President Joe Biden’s administration to undermine the fossil fuel industry.

“The Biden administration will now impose yet another regulation in order to realize its ultimate goal of closing down fossil fuel plants, and making America less independent from foreign energy.” she said.

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), who has also been a proponent of the fossil fuel industry, said the new EPA rule could threaten electrical grid operations. Manchin said affected power plants would face high costs to comply with the rule, which could lead to premature power plant closures or reduced plant runtimes. Manchin said the high costs of complying with the new EPA rules would be passed on to consumers.

“The EPA’s reckless decision today completely disregards the 23 state plans to reduce ozone levels. It also ignores warnings issued by key manufacturing sectors, elected officials, and experts in electricity reliability. This Administration is committed to advancing a progressive and radical climate agenda.” he said in a statement.

Some opponents of the EPA plan have argued that it should be possible to set standards for pollution reduction at the state level.

Texas has proposed a state-level plan to address federal air quality standards, but the EPA rejected the proposal. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has since brought a legal challenge against the EPA decision.

“The proposed federal implementation plan would cause immense harm to Texas’ state sovereignty and many Texas industries that would be subjected to burdensome, new federal regulations.” Paxton wrote in February. “The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s state-level plan meets federal air quality standards. Therefore, the EPA must reverse its highly politicized decision to reject our plan.”

From NTD News