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Federal government issues new ozone rule today

Writer's picture: AIM TeamAIM Team

The Washington Times  reports President Obama is expected today “to take what many expect to be the most costly and contentious step in his ambitious environmental agenda — the release of a gargantuan set of federal regulations to restrict ground-level ozone in the name of protecting Americans’ health.”

Opponents “say the sweeping proposal ultimately could bleed $3.4 trillion from the economy through 2040 and could kill as many as 2.9 million jobs.” The Times notes that “powerful interest groups,” including the NAM, have recently “launched an unprecedented public relations effort to stop it.”

Concerns have also been raised by “officials at the local, state and federal levels” and “even Mr. Obama has conceded that the economic impact of the ozone proposal is something that must be considered.” The Times notes that Timmons released an open letter on Wednesday, saying the proposed standard “would threaten that quality of life and would result in devastating economic consequences and job losses for Americans in localities just like the one you represent.”

According to Timmons, the “regulation’s strict mandates will force manufacturers to shut down, scrap or modify existing facilities. This means higher costs for consumers and lost jobs.”

Associated Industries will continue to do what it can to help NAM and any business in Missouri fight against this disastrous new policy.

Currently, in Missouri, five counties (Franklin County, Jefferson County, St. Charles County, St. Louis County and St. Louis City) are “non-attainment areas” according to the EPA’s “Green Book”. Under the new regulations issued today requiring 70 ppb or less, Missouri fares much worse. According to the EPA, of the 18 counties (including St. Louis City) with ozone monitors, 10 counties would be out of attainment.

These are not ALL the counties that will be non-attainment areas under the rule because these are ONLY the counties with monitors. The 10 counties with monitors that will definitely be non-attainment areas are: Clay, Clinton, Jasper, Jefferson, Lincoln, Perry, St. Charles, St. Louis County, Ste. Genevieve and St. Louis City.  Six other Missouri counties with monitors are dangerously close to the maximum of 70 ppb, including Andrew (68), Boone (68), Callaway (66), Cass (69), Cedar (70), and Greene (68).  In fact, only two Missouri counties of the 18 counties with monitors are relatively safe from designation as non-attainment areas based on their monitors: Monroe (64) and Taney(64).

Associated Industries of Missouri is the sole official designated partner of the National Association of Manufacturers in Missouri.

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