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American Press, Lake Charles, Louisiana, on ozone proposal

August 11
American Press, Lake Charles, Louisiana, on ozone proposal:
A new air quality standard for ozone would have a dire effect on the economy and jobs, a new report said.
Billions of dollars and millions of jobs will be lost if the Environmental Protection Agency tightens restrictions on ozone levels, the report released by the National Association of Manufacturers states.
Emissions control costs would result in a drop of $270 billion per year in Gross Domestic Product from 2017 through 2040, according to the report. The new restrictions would also result in the loss of millions of jobs.
That would affect Louisiana, too, considering the amount of industry we have in the state.
The current ozone standard is 75 parts per billion. The report focused on the “potential costs and economic impacts” if the standard were lowered to 60 pbb. The report said a new standard could result in “barriers” to new energy production.
Certainly there are concerns, but it’s hard to imagine that big-business industry won’t find a way to comply while still making money.
Stephen Waguespack, president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, told The Advocate that the tougher standards would be like “sand thrown in the gears” of the country and state’s rebound from the recession.
Marylee Orr, executive director of the Louisiana Environment Action Network, offered The Advocate another view, saying that “study after study shows that it is just the opposite. The better the environment, the better the economy.”
The reported called on the EPA to provide data and analysis and to provide details of what would be needed to achieve the new standard.
A way must be found for growth and environmental protection to go hand in hand. Else, there won’t be anything on which to build the economy.
Online:
http://www.americanpress.com

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