New Smog Proposals From EPA Draw Fire

online.wsj.com ^ | 09/20/2010 | Stephen Power

[goldendays]

By STEPHEN POWER A proposed crackdown on smog by the Environmental Protection Agency is fueling resistance from businesses groups concerned about costs, Republicans who say it'll be a drag on the economy—and some heartland Democrats engaged in tough election battles this fall. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson is proposing to redefine what constitutes unsafe levels of ground-level ozone, a primary ingredient in smog. Ms. Jackson wants to set the nation's air-quality standard for ozone at between 60 and 70 parts per billion, compared with 75 ppb currently.

The EPA says that could save as many as 12,000 lives a year and save the U.S. as much as $100 billion annually in 2020 by reducing spending on health problems associated with excessive ozone, such as asthma and bronchitis. The EPA's proposal has the support of the American Lung Association and the American Medical Association, and is consistent with the recommendation of a 23-member panel of clean-air experts who advised the agency on the issue after reviewing more than 1,700 studies.

The EPA says a standard of 60 ppb could cost businesses as much as $90 billion annually in 2020. The costs would include new emissions controls that businesses would have to install; higher electricity prices as power plants switched to cleaner-burning, but costlier, fuels; and more frequent auto inspections. Leading manufacturers and energy companies—such as Exxon Mobil Corp., Dow Chemical Co., and American Electric Power Co.—say the EPA hasn't proven that the 60 ppb standard would save the number of lives the agency claims.

[goldendays]

The EPA's proposal is already having consequences. In Pickens, S.C., officials have put on hold plans for a new traffic intersection They concluded the EPA's proposal would more than double the intersection's cost, by effectively requiring it to be built in a clover-leaf shape, rather than with straight on and off ramps, so as to reduce traffic jams and pollution levels. "It's going to limit growth," Chap Hurst, the county administrator, says of the EPA's proposal. Meanwhile, the Obama administration itself is showing signs of concern about the planned new rule. Instead of adopting a new standard by late August, as Ms. Jackson initially promised, the EPA recently announced that she wouldn't reach a decision until late October.

[goldendays]

cut off the money to epa

[bunkerhill7]

EPA Says Bush Causes Asthma

[Army Air Corps]

Ping!

[anniegetyourgun]

My car is in the shop - I got a hybrid loaner...it’s a Nazi. This is what we have to look forward to.

[goldendays]

Obama Energy Czar To Decide What Household Appliances Americans Are Allowed To Own
http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/75469

[Ford4000]

Anybody care to guess how many EPA grants go to the ALA and AMA?

[combat_boots]

Dear God,

The EPA is going to regulate permissible Levels of ozone in or around lightning.

[Jack Wilson]

Won’t lightening go be less severe once global warming is fixed?

[Mouton]

I have a few “appliances” that are working very well...come by and try to take them away. Consider it a triple dog dare.

[chooseascreennamepat]

Hey, EPA....GFY.

[old curmudgeon]

Most don’t realize that the EPA, the Endangered Species Act and a few others of their ilk have had more to do with industry fleeing the US for the Orient than high labor or high taxes.

We must get them under control.

[JPG]

Lisa Jackson is also concerned by the massive release of ozone from FR Zots. Lisa, you are a TROLL.

[Iron Munro]

[goldendays]

it all come from the United Nations to America

[calex59]

We must get them under control.

Yes, like eliminate them altogether. America did just fine before they came on the scene.

[goldendays]

Shifting to a green economy will become key in the United Nations’ bid to raise worldwide living standards as prospects dim for cutting poverty in half by 2015, according to a UN report.

Environmental challenges left unresolved, such as protecting coral reefs, ensuring safe drinking water and fighting deforestation, will endanger the ability of future generations to thrive, according to the study released today for policy makers by the UN Environment Program.

Leaders including U.S. President Barack Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy will meet in New York this week during the UN General Assembly session to review the UN’s Millennium Development Goals, a 15-year plan to halve poverty across the world by 2015.

“It is likely that achieving all the MDGs by 2015 will be missed,” Achim Steiner, environmental program executive director, said today in a statement. “

[steelyourfaith]

Grazie Army Air Corps !

 

Beam me to Planet Gore !

[Bitsy]

cut off the money to epa

Yes! And the Dept. of Education, and....

[Jack Hydrazine]

I’m sure in the not-too-distant future the EPA will be regulating when people can inhale. Those born in a year that ends with an even number can breathe on even days and odd years on odd days.