EPA Sends Ozone NAAQS To OMB As October Deadline Looms For Rule

摘要

EPA has sent its final decision on whether to revise its ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for White House Office of Management & Budget (OMB) review, which could put the agency on track to meet an Oct. 1 judicial deadline for either issuing a more stringent standard or leaving the existing limit in place. Industry groups, Republicans and others have criticized the potential costs associated with EPA's proposal to tighten the existing 75 parts per billion (ppb) "primary" health-based standard set in 2008 down to a limit within the range of 65-70 ppb. Critics say it will put many areas out of attainment with the NAAQS, forcing them to impose expensive pollution controls on industry that will drive businesses away and hurt local economies.