A group of important Arizona Republicans took legal action against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Tuesday regarding new air pollution rules they believe will harm the economy.
The Republican leaders of the state’s House and Senate, along with the state Chamber of Commerce and Industry, have come together in a legal case. suitThey claim that the new standards for fine air pollutants known as PM 2.5 are “arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion.”
PM 2.5 are very small air pollutants, just 2.5 microns in size, small enough to enter a person’s bloodstream. They have been long identified as harmful, and new EPA regulations announced this month reduce target levels from 12 micrograms per cubic meter to 9 micrograms.
The EPA noted that Maricopa County, home to Phoenix, is one of the Arizona areas out of compliance with the new regulations, which it estimates could save $46 billion a year by 2042 nationwide by preventing premature deaths and sickness. The plaintiffs argue that bringing Arizona in line with the new regulations would cost billions and represents an overreach by the federal government. The EPA stated that Maricopa County, where Phoenix is located, is one of the Arizona areas not meeting the new rules, and it is estimated that this could save $46 billion a year by 2042 across the country by preventing premature deaths and sickness.
The parties taking legal action argue that adhering to the new regulations in Arizona would cost billions and is an overreach by the federal government.
Arizona Chamber president Danny Seiden explained his position to The Arizona Republic. He mentioned that a lot of the sources of PM 2.5 pollution in Phoenix, such as wildfires, cannot be reduced, and that meeting the high standard would be impossible. He also expressed concerns about the potential impact on business, indicating worries that the rule may increase manufacturing costs, causing companies to produce goods in other countries. “If the stated goal under the Clean Air Act is to provide cleaner, healthier air, this decision makes no sense,” he said.
He added that many of the sources of PM 2.5 pollution in Phoenix are not able to be reduced, like from wildfires, and that the high bar would be impossible to achieve. He also noted a potential impact on business, showing concerns the rule may drive up manufacturing costs, leading companies to manufacture products in other countries.
A group of important Arizona Republicans took legal action against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Tuesday regarding new air pollution rules they believe will harm the economy. The Republican leaders of the state’s House and Senate, along with the state Chamber of Commerce and Industry, have come together in a legal case, claiming the new standards for fine air pollutants known…
