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Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH) and Congressman Pete Olson (R-TX) today introduced bipartisan legislation that would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to include feasibility and economic impacts when issuing major rules. EPA has indicated they intend to propose a National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for ozone, from the current level of .75 down to as low as .60 parts per billion. These levels are so low that most of America - including most of our national parks - will be out of compliance. The Clean Air, Strong Economies (CASE) Act, would require EPA to protect health and consider feasibility when issuing rules under the Clean Air Act. 

“We all want clean air and a healthy environment,” said Latta. “When proceeding with new regulations, they must be achievable and without significant harm to our economy. Manufacturers should not be faced with the choice of complying with EPA regulations or staying in business. Not only would these new standards put much of America out of compliance, but they also fail to take into account the $270 billion and millions of jobs that would be lost nationwide. The CASE Act would ensure we continue to improve our air quality, while also factoring in the feasibility of compliance and economic harm.” 

“America has made important gains in air quality over the last 30 years and should continue to do better,” Rep. Olson said. “But this new level puts most of America out of compliance. The National Association of Manufacturers recently estimated that compliance with this new rule could reduce annual GDP by $270 billion dollars and cost 2.9 million jobs. Our bill will simply update the Clean Air Act to allow EPA to consider economic costs when issuing rules, something they are currently not allowed to do. It would bring the proper balance to improving air quality, while doing so with achievable technology and ensuring the process does the least harm to our economy.”

In a letter of support for the CASE Act, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce stated that, "This legislation would improve the rulemaking process involved with the Environmental Protection Agency’s review and setting of National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ground level ozone byrequiring better scientific data, more transparency, and considerations of feasibility and economic impact." 

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