Jackson Confirms - EPA Will Enforce Bush-Era Smog Provisions @ 75 PPB Ozone

[hatrack]

WASHINGTON, Sept 22 (Reuters) - The United States will enforce a Bush-era standard on smog pollution after the White House, under pressure from Republicans, killed a tougher plan, the country's top environmental regulator said on Thursday. Lisa Jackson, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, told a congressional hearing her office will enforce a standard limiting ground level ozone, or smog, to 75 parts per billion. That is the level of a 2008 rule made under the administration of George W. Bush.

Polluters and Republicans have attacked air pollution rules the EPA is forging, saying they will raise costs for companies and erase jobs. Bowing to the critics, President Barack Obama this month killed the EPA smog plan that would have cut levels to between 60 and 70 ppb.

After the hearing the EPA sent a letter informing regional directors that state and local air agencies will have to comply with the 75 ppb rule, which could add costs to power generators such as Southern Co. (SO.N) and American Electric Power, (AEP.N) and manufacturers including Dow Chemical (DOW.N).

The agency will implement the standard mindful that "in these challenging economic times EPA should reduce uncertainty and minimize the regulatory burdens on state and local governments," the letter said. It plans to propose revisions to the standards in 2013.

EDIT

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/09/22/usa-ozone-epa-idUSS1E78L1AJ20110922

[Harmony Blue]

1. Ugh

What darkness is enveloping our country literally, and figuratively. :-(

[SugarShack]

2. It's called "faux presidents" brought to you by electronic voting machines