EEI Statement on EPA's Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards

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Oct 01, 2015, 02:08 ET

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Edison Electric Institute (EEI) President Tom Kuhn issued the following statement today on the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).

"The electric power sector has made great progress in reducing the environmental impact of electricity generation, cutting sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions by 80 percent and nitrogen oxides (NO_x) emissions by 74 percent since 1990, even as demand for electricity has increased.

"While we are still reviewing the final standard, EEI advocated throughout the rulemaking process that, should a new ozone standard be set, it should be at the top end of the proposed range at 70 parts-per-billion (ppb). While compliance challenges remain with the new standard at 70 ppb, EPA has recognized the serious implementation concerns raised by stakeholders of setting the standard below 70 ppb.

"EEI will continue to work with our members, the states, and affected customers to determine how compliance with the new ozone standard will impact the implementation of other major EPA regulations, including the Mercury and Air Toxic Standards (MATS), and, importantly, the recently finalized Clean Power Plan."

EEI is the association that represents all U.S. investor-owned electric companies. Our members provide electricity for 220 million Americans, operate in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and directly employ more than 500,000 workers. EEI has 70 international electric companies as Affiliate Members, and 270 industry suppliers and related organizations as Associate Members.

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SOURCE Edison Electric Institute