Lawmakers: Harmful Effects Of EPA’s Proposed Ozone Rule Outweigh Benefits

In a letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy, 22 members of Congress recently argued the EPA’s proposed new ozone standard would do more harm than good. 

The lawmakers, all of whom have backgrounds in the health care field, argued that while the health benefits of the new standard are “questionable,” the economic effects are apparent: lower economic growth and fewer jobs. The impact the new standard will have on the economy will increase poverty, reduce access to health insurance and increase unemployment, the lawmakers said, all of which would have a detrimental impact on the overall health of Americans. The letter argued the EPA should have considered these consequences when determining the impact of this rule. (MSCI, the National Association of Manufacturers and several other industry groups made similar arguments in a letter sent to President Barack Obama on June 19.) 

Mayors gathering in San Francisco also recently spoke out against the EPA’s proposed ozone standards. According to NAM, the U.S. Conference of Mayors has also written to the EPA urging it to keep the current standard in place. 

MSCI is working with the Council of Manufacturing Associations to oppose this costly rule. Please stay tuned to Connecting the Dots for more information about how you can participate in those efforts.