Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX) today issued the following statement in response to a
report from the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) that concludes that an EPA mandated 65 parts per billion ozone air quality standard could cost the U.S. economy up to $1.7 trillion over the lifetime of the rule:
This study reaffirms the need for common sense from the EPA on addressing air quality through ozone or smog standards. Many counties in the US are only now being given the guidance to achieve the standard set forth in 2008. More importantly much of the ozone we deal with comes from natural or foreign sources that our communities have no control over. Further its critically important that we give cities and counties time to reach the current goal posts before moving the end zone. Not to mention the law does not allow EPA to consider the achievability of economic impacts like a $1.7 trillion impact on our economy.
Thats why we need legislation that provides common sense to this rulemaking process. I plan to reintroduce the Clean Air Strong Economy (CASE) Act that will allow EPA to include feasibility and economic impacts when issuing major rules. I urge EPA to exercise caution when moving forward in this process.
