Energy and Commerce Committee to hold hearing to discuss challenges to NAAQS implementation
The U.S. Energy and Commerce Committee’s (E&C) Subcommittee on Energy and Power announced on Thursday that it will hold a hearing on April 14 to discuss challenges to carrying out the Ozone Standards Implementation Act of 2016.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently issued revisions to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ground-level ozone. These revisions will require all states to manage several ozone requirements in an effort to fight climate change.
“Despite the fact that ozone levels have declined more than 30 percent since 1980, and states are just beginning to implement the 2008 standards, EPA has imposed additional standards that present significant challenges for states and local communities throughout Kentucky and the United States,” Subcommittee Chair Ed Whitfield (R-KY) said. “EPA simply doesn’t take into account the very real economic consequences their policies have on job creation, small businesses, and manufacturers. We’re looking forward to hearing the state perspectives on implementation of the ozone standards and receiving feedback on legislation that seeks to ensure states have time and the tools needed to achieve the requirements under EPA’s rules.”
The hearing seeks to discuss the challenges some states face in implementing the regulations to ensure that each state has the tools needed to successfully meet its NAAQS goals.
