API Welcomes EPA Proposal To Maintain Existing Air Quality Standards

Today, the American Petroleum Institute released the following statement on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed rule on the Particulate Matter (PM) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), which recommends retaining all six of the current standards. API participated throughout the agency’s public process of developing science and policy documents that are the basis for this proposed rule.

“Many industry groups across America – including ours – agree that EPA’s proposed rule is a smart balance that will further reduce emissions and help protect public health while meeting America’s energy needs,” API Senior Vice President of Policy, Economics and Regulatory Affairs Frank Macchiarola said. “The U.S. has made significant progress in this area as the U.S. has reduced PM2.5 annual concentrations by 39 percent since 2000. This proposal is an important step toward continuing this progress. We are reviewing EPA’s proposal and intend to provide public testimony and comments to the regulatory docket.”

Since 2000, the U.S. has reduced emissions that can contribute to PM, including reducing SO2 84% while NOx air releases are down 54%. Continued implementation of existing regulations can help continue this trend.

Estimated economic impacts of previous NAAQS proposals, coupled with the lack of compelling new evidence to lower the standards underlying this proposed rule, support EPA’s proposal to retain the current PM NAAQS.

About API
API represents all segments of America’s oil and natural gas industry. Its more than 600 members produce, process, and distribute most of the nation’s energy. The industry supports 10.9 million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization. In its first 100 years, API has developed more than 700 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.