API: Streamlining implementation of air quality standards promotes public health, environmental protection and economic growth

WASHINGTON, June 21, 2018 – The American Petroleum Institute said today’s House Science Environment hearing on regulating ozone is a reminder of the need to implement the Clean Air Act appropriately to benefit the public and the environment.

“The natural gas and oil industry supports actions to streamline the implementation of air quality standards to promote public health, environmental protection and economic growth,” said API Senior Director of Regulatory and Scientific Affairs Howard Feldman.

“Since 2005, U.S. ozone concentrations have fallen 17 percent due in part to investments by the natural gas and oil industry of approximately $339 billion, since 1990, toward improving the environmental performance of its products, facilities and operations. We look forward to continuing this progress in achieving our shared goals of protecting public health and the environment and meeting the nation’s energy needs.”

The Exceptional Event and International Transport provisions of the Clean Air Act are two implementation mechanisms that can be used to address background ozone, and regulations and guidance should reflect the maximum flexibility afforded to states and the federal government under those provisions.

API is the only national trade association representing all facets of the oil and natural gas industry, which supports 10.3 million U.S. jobs and nearly 8 percent of the U.S. economy. API’s nearly 620 members include large integrated companies, as well as exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, and marine businesses, and service and supply firms. They provide most of the nation’s energy and are backed by a growing grassroots movement of more than 45 million Americans.

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