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Hudson Votes For Jobs, Common Sense in Ozone Standards

06/08/16
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 8, 2016
 
Hudson Votes For Jobs, Common Sense in Ozone Standards
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08) released the following statement after voting to rein in the administration’s strict ozone regulations that would force 20 counties in North Carolina out of attainment, threatening jobs and economic growth:
 
“Because of the EPA’s radical standards, power plants in North Carolina could shut down, manufacturing could stop and jobs could be lost, yet there will be no measurable improvement in air quality. Too many people are out of work, and the last thing Washington should be doing is mandating new rules that hold back job creation and economic growth in exchange for uncertain outcomes. Today’s legislation is a common sense reform to rein in the harmful regulation while giving states the time and flexibility needed to protect jobs and maintain a strong economy.”
 
Despite the fact that ozone concentrations have declined nearly 30 percent since 1980, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revised the current National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ground-level ozone from 75 parts per billion (ppb) - which states are just beginning to implement - to a level of 70 ppb.
 
This would force 20 counties in North Carolina out of attainment, including Cabarrus, Davidson, Mecklenburg, Union and Rowan counties in the eighth district. States are still working to implement the 2008 ozone standard of 75 ppb – which EPA did not publish implementing regulations for until March 2015. The stricter standard of 70 ppb will have no measurable impact on air quality and does not take into account naturally occurring ozone. In areas forced into non-attainment, manufacturers would not be able to expand without a reduction of emissions or a shutdown of operations from other plants in the area, bringing economic growth to a screeching halt and increasing energy costs for businesses and households alike.
 
Today, the House passed the Ozone Standards Implementation Act of 2016 (H.R. 4775) to provide states with the time and tools they need to meet existing standards and address the agency’s overlapping regulations. This legislation is supported by more than 275 pro-jobs organizations that represent millions of Americans - including the North Carolina Chamber, the North Carolina Petroleum Council, and the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce.
 
For a fact sheet on H.R. 4775, click here.
 
As a Member of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power, Rep. Hudson is working to examine and put an end to harmful EPA regulations that could have economic consequences on jobs, families and communities in North Carolina. He and the Subcommittee have held hearings to examine the rule and its impacts on manufacturing, jobs and the economy. In addition, Rep. Hudson attended a roundtable last year in Cabarrus County to discuss possible impacts of the proposed ozone rule with state and local officials, manufacturers and small businesses.
 
Rep. Hudson shared his perspective in the Charlotte Observer on what this tougher ozone regulation would mean for North Carolina. 
 
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