Overnight Energy: EPA ozone rule takes hits from all sides

WELCOME TO THE OZONE: Federal regulators formally introduced their strong new standard for ozone levels on Thursday, setting up a fight with Congress, industry and environmentalists alike. 

The Environmental Protection Agency’s new standard — 70 parts per billion — is tighter than the 75 parts per billion standard currently on the books.

Industry groups have warned against the prospect of any new ozone standard, saying it will be exceedingly expensive to implement. Environmental and health groups pushed the EPA to set an even tougher standard, calling it a public health necessity. 

{mosads}So on Thursday, both sides hit regulators for the new standard.

“The new ozone standard will inflict pain on companies that build things in America — and destroy job opportunities for American workers,” National Association of Manufacturers President Jay Timmons said.

“The level chosen … simply does not reflect what the science shows is necessary to truly protect public health,” Harold Wimmer, the president of the American Lung Association, said. 

EPA administrator Gina McCarthy defended the rule as both attainable and a win for public health. 

“This strengthened standard will improve public health protection across the country and provide the adequate margin of safety that is required by law and that the science supports,” McCarthy told reporters.

Read more here.

REPUBLICANS VOW TO FIGHT RULE: Republicans on Capitol Hill bashed the new ozone rule on Thursday with some hinting at a legislative response to the release. 

“EPA’s decision to restrict the ozone standard to 70 parts per billion is yet another example of the Obama administration’s enthusiasm for needless regulation,” Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) said in a statement. 

“Our country should have been given the opportunity to fully meet the 2008 standard before implementing another frivolous and costly mandate.”

Inhofe chairs the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, and he said he “will be pursuing legislation” to respond to the rule. 

House chairmen, including Reps. Lamar Smith (R-Texas) of the Science Committee and Fred Upton (R-Mich.) of the Energy and Committee, also hit the new rule, which they said could be the most expensive regulation ever to implement.

“Our economy is teetering as wild fluctuations have defined a volatile global market,” Upton said in a statement with Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.).

“And the administration’s response? Pushing forward with what many experts predict will be the EPA’s costliest regulation in history and could very well be a last straw for our fragile economy.”

Read more here.

NEWS BITE:

Supporters of lifting the crude oil ban are hitting the airwaves to make their case. 

Producers for American Crude Oil Exports is releasing an ad in 15 congressional districts around the country to plug a bill ending the 40-year-old ban ahead of a House vote on the measure expected for next week. 

The ads tie new crude exports to the prospect of Iranian oil hitting the market after sanctions on the country are lifted. 

“The crude oil export ban not only puts U.S. companies at a significant competitive disadvantage, but threatens our national security interests,” PACE executive director George Baker said. 

“Permanently repealing the ban would provide our global allies with a stable and secure supply of oil, while creating and protecting jobs here at home and putting downward pressure on U.S. gasoline prices.”

AROUND THE WEB:

Wealthy residents in Los Angeles use more electricity per capita than poor ones, the Los Angeles Times reports.

European officials are looking into reports suggesting TV manufacturers may be gaming energy efficiency tests, BBC News reports. 

The rain is coming, but Hurricane Joaquin might be moving out to sea. The Capital Weather Gang looks at the latest forecast. 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 

Check out Thursday’s stories … 

-VW executive to testify on emissions scandal next week 
-Republicans vow to fight EPA’s new ozone rule 
-EPA to tighten federal limits on ozone 
-Senate panel approves oil export bill 
-Reid slams GOP over expiration of conservation funding

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