CEO DATELINE - U.S. Chamber says ozone rules could make D.C. traffic even worse
CEO DATELINE - U.S. Chamber says ozone rules could make D.C. traffic even worse
- July 24, 2015 |
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Walt Williams
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Think driving through Washington, D.C., is bad now? The U.S. Chamber of Commerce says that if the Environmental Protection Agency puts in place new ozone regulations, traffic in the nation's capital could become even more of a nightmare.
A new report by the Chamber—titled "Grinding to a Halt"—looks at the effect of the proposed air quality regulations on key transportation projects around the nation, starting with the D.C. region. It is a response to an EPA plan to tighten ozone standards from 75 to 65-70 parts per billion in an effort to improve air quality.
EPA has the authority to withhold funding for transportation and transit project if they do not meet the new emission standards, the Chamber said in a statement. That means much needed infrastructure improvements for the D.C. region could be in jeopardy.
"D.C. area commuters already are facing some of the worst commutes in the nation, and now key projects intended to help, like improving I-66 in Virginia, the Purple Line in Maryland and the D.C. Streetcar are all being threatened by unreasonable standards that the region will have extreme difficulty meeting," said Karen Harbert, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber's Institute for 21st Century Energy. http://uscham.com/1OqhM6V
Questions about transportation infrastructure aside, the new ozone rules have the support of many public health groups. The American Lung Association has called for stronger standards, saying current standard fails to protect human health. The American Public Health Association has pushed for even tighter ozone limits than the EPA . Still, the group is pleased that the acceptable ozone limit is being lowered.
"For children, seniors, people with lung or cardiovascular conditions and even healthy adults who work or exercise outdoors, these improved air quality standards will reduce premature deaths, hospital admissions and emergency department visits." APHA Executive Director Georges Benjamin said.
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