The EPA is considering lowering the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone from 75 parts per billion to 60 parts per billion, which would cause 97% of US counties to be out of compliance. This would give the EPA authority to regulate industries that emit ozone, like oil and gas, costing over $1 billion per year to comply and destroying millions of jobs. At 60 parts per billion, the standard would be below natural background ozone levels, making it an impractical and unachievable target that could bankrupt businesses trying to comply with impossible regulations.

1. NAAQS (National Ambient Air Quality Standards)
OVERVIEW
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering new regulations that would cause serious damage to the energy industry and our economy. By imposing stricter National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), the EPA will cause much of our nation to be out of compliance with these new ozone standards. That means significant potential regulatory costs and new restrictions on energy companies, other businesses, and individuals.
WHAT IS OZONE?

2. NAAQS (National Ambient Air Quality Standards)
ECONOMIC IMPACT
If the EPA lowers the current ozone standards from the 75 parts per billion (ppb) to 60 parts per billion (ppb), it could:
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Mean 97% of the people who live in the United States would live in areas that would not be in compliance.
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Give the EPA authority to regulate any activities that emit ozone, which would be a significant blow to the oil and gas industry and its employees.
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Cost over $1 billion every year to comply.
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Reduce the U.S. Gross Domestic Product by $676 billion in 2020.
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Destroy 7.3 million jobs by 2020.
METHANE EMISSIONS, 2012

3. NAAQS (National Ambient Air Quality Standards)
IMPRACTICAL EXPECTATIONS
At a level of 60 ppb, this regulatory standard would be below peak background levels in many places, including some wilderness areas. If the EPA were to impose this stricter standard, it would be unachievable in many areas. The energy industry and many other businesses could spend billions to comply with regulations that will be impossible to meet.

4. NAAQS (National Ambient Air Quality Standards)
NEXT STEPS ON NAAQS
Urge the EPA not to impose unrealistic ozone standards, as they would be disastrous for our economy, job creation, and international competitiveness.