API pleased with EPA’s air quality standards

“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 US has made significant progress in this area as the US has reduced PM2.5 annual concentrations by 39% 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 US 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.

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 US jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organisation. In its first 100 years, API has developed more than 700 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.