EPA cannot consider costs in setting standards under the Clean Air Act, but costs are now estimated under an executive order from President Obama.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today proposed updates to its national air quality standards for harmful fine particle pollution, including soot known as PM2.5. These microscopic particles penetrate deep into the lungs and are linked to serious health effects, including premature death, heart attacks, and strokes, as well as acute bronchitis and aggravated asthma among children.
The standards affect diesel vehicles and engines, heavy duty trucks and roads, powerplants, locomotives, ports, and the construction industry. Wood burning stoves in some valleys are also affected, said EPA Assistant Administrator Gina McCarthy on a conference call with media this afternoon.
Because reductions in fine particle pollution have direct health benefits including decreased mortality rates, fewer incidents of heart attacks, strokes, and childhood asthma, these standards have major economic benefits with comparatively low costs.
Depending on the final level of the standard, estimated benefits will range from $88 million a year, with estimated costs of implementation as low as $2.9 million, to $5.9 billion in annual benefits with a cost of $69 million – a return ranging from $30 to $86 for every dollar invested in pollution control.
While EPA cannot consider costs in selecting a standard under the Clean Air Act, those costs are estimated as part of an analysis now undertaken for all significant regulations, as required by Executive Order 13563 issued by President Obama in January 2011. This genuine reform is a fact apparently unknown – or ignored – by the presumptive Republican presidential candidate who says he would require such an analysis if elected.
A federal court ruling required EPA to update the standard based on best available science. Today’s proposal, which meets that requirement, builds on steps already taken by the EPA to limit dangerous pollution. EPA claims that 99% of U.S. counties are projected to meet the proposed standard without any additional action. Six counties are estimated to be unable to comply with the standard by the 2020 deadline, including Wayne country in Michigan, Riverside and San Bernardino in California, Santa Cruz in Arizona, Jefferson in Alabama and Lincoln in Montana.
Because reductions in fine particle pollution have direct health benefits including decreased mortality rates, fewer incidents of heart attacks, strokes, and childhood asthma, these standards have major economic benefits with comparatively low costs. Depending on the final level of the standard, estimated benefits will range from $88 million a year, with estimated costs of implementation as low as $2.9 million, to $5.9 billion in annual benefits with a cost of $69 million. This means a return ranging from $30 to $86 for every dollar invested in pollution control.
The proposed changes, consistent with the advice from the agency’s independent science advisers, are based on an extensive body of evidence that includes thousands of studies, including many large studies that show negative health impacts at lower levels than previously understood.
By proposing a range, the agency will collect input from the public as well as industry and public health groups, to help determine the most appropriate final standard to protect public health. It is important to note that the proposal has zero effect on the existing daily standard for fine particles or the existing daily standard for coarse particles (PM10), both of which would remain unchanged, EPA said.
EPA will accept public comment for 63 days after the proposed standards are published in the Federal Register. The agency will hold two public hearings and one in Sacramento, CA. and one in Philadelphia, PA. EPA will issue the final standards by 14 December 2012.
