Giving States More Time to Meet the EPA’s New Ozone Standards (H.R. 4775)
Do you support or oppose this bill?
What is H.R. 4775?
(Updated May 15, 2020)
This bill would provide states with additional time and flexibility to implement the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) revised ground-level ozone and air quality standards.
The EPA’s standard lowers the allowable amount of ozone from 75 parts per billion (ppb) to 70 ppb. It was originally proposed in 2008, but the implementing regulations weren’t published until March 2015 and were revised in October 2015 to include additional state planning requirements.
Certain deadlines imposed by the EPA standards would be delayed, including the designation of states that haven’t met the standards which now wouldn’t occur until 2025. Additionally, the 2015 ozone standard wouldn’t apply to new air permits that are completed before the EPA makes its final nonattainment designations for states that don’t meet the ozone standards.
The review cycle for National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) would be extended, so that pollutants under the Clean Air Act are reviewed over 10 years instead of five.
Argument in favor
States need more time to implement the EPA’s ozone standard given that it took the agency about seven years to publish the regulations, which it then revised seven months later. It's wrong to punish states for non-compliance unless they have time to adjust.
Argument opposed
The EPA began the process of crafting the new ozone standards in 2008, so the revisions it added in 2015 shouldn’t be coming as a huge surprise to the states. The standards should be implemented as planned, without the delay proposed by this bill.
Impact
States implementing the EPA’s ozone standard, and the EPA.
Cost of H.R. 4775
A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.
Additional Info
In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX) introduced this bill to give states time to develop compliance plans for the EPA’s ozone regulations:
“States have worked hard over the last few decades to reduce ozone levels and improve air quality. The trend has been positive in lowering emissions and providing cleaner air. We must keep this trend in the right direction, while balancing that goal available technology and states’ ability to meet new levels. My bill provides needed flexibility so that states and localities can adequately achieve new, lower standards with time for compliance.”
This legislation was passed by the House Energy and Commerce Committee on a vote of 30-23, and has the support of 43 cosponsors — including 40 Republicans and three Democrats.
Of Note: Ozone can be found in two places — earth’s upper atmosphere and at ground level. Stratospheric ozone forms a protective barrier around the Earth, shielding it from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Ground level ozone is the main ingredient in “smog” and is more harmful, as it’s produced by chemical reactions between nitrogen and pollutants from cars, power plants, refineries, and other sources.
Media:
- Sponsoring Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX) Press Release
- House Energy and Commerce Committee Press Release
- Daily Caller
- Morning Consult
- Americans for Tax Reform (In Favor)
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce (In Favor)
(Photo Credit: Flickr user Carbon Visuals)
The Latest
-
IT: 🛢️ New Vermont measure could charge Big Oil for climate damages, and... Do you think Trump is guilty?Welcome to Friday, May 10th, friends... Vermont could be one of the first states to hold Big Oil accountable for the damages read more...
-
Stormy Daniels Takes the Stand in Trump Hush Money TrialUpdated May 9, 2024, 5:00 p.m. EST Adult film star Stormy Daniels, also known as Stephanie Clifford, spent two days on the stand read more... Law Enforcement
-
Vermont Measure to Charge Big Oil for Climate DamagesWhat’s the story? Vermont is expected to become one of the first states to hold Big Oil accountable for the damages caused by read more... Environment
-
IT: Trump's 2016 'deny, deny, deny' campaign strategy, and... How can you help the civilians of Ukraine?Welcome to Wednesday, May 8th, weekenders... As Trump's hush money trial enters it's third week, the 2016 campaign strategy of read more...