WASHINGTON, Spetember 21, 2006 - The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued final National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for fine particles (PM2.5) today. The Clean Air Act requires EPA to review the latest scientific information and standards every five years. Before new standards are established, policy decisions undergo a review by the scientific community, industry, public interest groups, the general public and the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC).
API participated in this most recent review and finds EPA’s decision on the daily standard to be overly conservative and based on incomplete science. The choice of this announced standard from the range of options available to EPA will lead to emission controls that may limit the ability of our industry to secure and expand energy supplies. We are, however, supportive of the Administrator’s decision to retain the current annual standard.