State
Pascagoula Residents React to Chevron Leak
WXXV
Burning noses, throats and eyes are just a few symptoms residents in the
neighborhood surrounding the Chevron refinery say they've experienced after
a gas leak earlier this week. So far, there have been no positive results
for harmful chemicals but air monitoring is still underway.
http://www.wxxv25.com/news/local/story/Pascagoula-Residents-React-to-Chevron-Leak/e4dSliHV_ES-FcPL-jiw0g.cspx
Bribery or bad judgment? Letter says ex-Harrison County Supervisor Kim
Savant meant no wrong
Letter says Savant meant no wrong
BY ANITA LEE
Sun Herald
GULFPORT -- Former Harrison County Supervisor Kim Savant thought he had a
business arrangement with a client, not a conspiracy to commit bribery.
That's what an attorney friend said in a letter to the federal judge who
sentenced Savant on Thursday to five years in prison.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/10/01/6443810_bribery-or-bad-judgment-letter.html?rh=1
National
EPA Sets Stricter Standard for Ozone
New limit on pollutant linked to smog draws criticism from industry groups,
environmentalists
WSJ
WASHINGTON—Environmental regulators significantly lowered a national limit
for a smog-causing pollutant Thursday, in an attempted compromise that left
some businesses relieved and environmental and health leaders upset the
initiative wasn't stronger.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/epa-to-set-stricter-air-pollution-standard-for-ozone-1443715727
New Limit for Smog-Causing Emissions Isn't as Strict as Many Had Expected
NY Times
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration on Thursday unveiled
a major new regulation on smog-causing emissions that spew
from smokestacks and tailpipes, significantly tightening
the current Bush-era standards but falling short of more
stringent regulations that public health advocates and
environmentalists had urged.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/02/us/politics/epa-to-unveil-new-limit-for-smog-causing-ozone-emissions.html?ref=earth&_r=0
Obama administration tightens smog limits but satisfies few
Washington Post
The Obama administration tightened limits Thursday on a key air pollutant
that causes urban smog, a move that officials say will alleviate suffering
for millions of Americans who suffer from asthma and other respiratory
illnesses.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/10/01/obama-administration-to-tighten-smog-limits-but-will-satisfy-no-one/
EPA sets new ozone standard, disappointing all sides
AP
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Obama administration on Thursday established stricter
limits on the smog-causing pollution linked to asthma and respiratory
illness, drawing swift condemnation from business leaders and Republicans
who warned of damage to the economy.
http://www.wlox.com/story/30163726/epa-sets-new-ozone-standard-disappointing-all-sides
Opinion
SUN HERALD | Editorial: Chevron should keep neighbors in the loop
The leak at the Chevron Pascagoula Refinery could have been much worse had
the company not performed so well.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/10/01/6444200/sun-herald-editorial-chevron-should.html
The Twilight Ozone
The Grand Canyon may soon be an EPA 'non-attainment' area.
WSJ
The economic punishment from President Obama's green agenda continued
Tuesday as the Environmental Protection Agency issued a new regulation on
ozone, among the most costly in U.S. history.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-twilight-ozone-1443742001
Press Releases
EPA Strengthens Ozone Standards to Protect Public Health
Science-based standards to reduce sick days, asthma attacks, emergency room
visits, greatly outweigh costs
WASHINGTON – Based on extensive scientific evidence on effects that
ground-level ozone pollution, or smog, has on public health and welfare,
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has strengthened the
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ground-level ozone to 70
parts per billion (ppb) from 75 ppb to protect public health. The updated
standards will reduce Americans' exposure to ozone, improving public health
protection, particularly for at risk groups including children, older
adults, and people of all ages who have lung diseases such as asthma.
Ground-level ozone forms when nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic
compounds (VOCs) react in the air.
"Put simply – ozone pollution means it hurts to breathe for those most
vulnerable: our kids, our elderly and those suffering from heart and lung
ailments," said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. "Our job is to set
science-backed standards that protect the health of the American people.
Today's action is one of the most important measures we can take for
improving public health, reducing the costs of illness and protecting our
children's health."
EPA examined nearly 2,300 studies in this review of the ozone standards
including more than 1,000 new studies published since the last review of
the standards in 2008. Scientific evidence shows that ozone can cause a
number of harmful effects on the respiratory system, including difficulty
breathing and inflammation of the airways. The revised standards will
significantly improve public health protection, resulting in fewer
premature deaths, and thousands fewer missed school and work days and
asthma attacks. For people with lung diseases like COPD (chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease) or the 23 million Americans and 6 million
children living with asthma, these effects can aggravate their diseases,
leading to increased medication use, emergency room visits and hospital
admissions. Evidence also indicates that long-term exposure to ozone is
likely to be one of many causes of asthma development. And studies show
that ozone exposure is likely to cause premature death. The public health
benefits of the updated standards, estimated at $2.9 to 5.9 billion
annually in 2025, outweigh the estimated annual costs of $1.4 billion.
Local communities, states, and the federal government have made substantial
progress in reducing ground-level ozone. Nationally, from 1980 to 2014,
average ozone levels have fallen 33 percent, while the economy has
continued to grow. And by 2025, EPA projects that existing rules and
programs will bring the vast majority of the remaining counties into
compliance. Advances in pollution control technology for vehicles and
industry along with other emission reduction standards, including "Tier 3"
clean vehicle and fuels standards, the Clean Power Plan and the Mercury and
Air Toxics Standards, will significantly cut smog-forming emissions,
helping states meet today's updated ozone standards.
To ensure that people are alerted when ozone reaches unhealthy levels, EPA
is extending the ozone monitoring season for 32 states and the District of
Columbia. This is particularly important for at-risk groups, including
children and people with asthma because it will provide information so
families can take steps to protect their health on smoggy days.
EPA also is strengthening the "secondary ozone standard" to 70 ppb, which
will improve protection for trees, plants and ecosystems. New studies since
the last review of the standards add to evidence showing that repeated
exposure to ozone reduces growth and has other harmful effects on plants
and trees. These types of effects have the potential to harm ecosystems and
the benefits they provide.
The Clean Air Act provides states with time to meet the standards.
Depending on the severity of their ozone problem, areas would have until
between 2020 and 2037 to meet the standards.
The Clean Air Act requires EPA to review the ozone standards every five
years to determine whether they should be revised in light of the latest
science. Today's action comes after a thorough review and public comment
process. The agency received more than 430,000 written comments on the
proposed standards and held three public hearings.
More information: http://www3.epa.gov/ozonepollution/
To view the video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6chlLb59zA
Wicker Says New Ozone Rule Costly and Unachievable for Many
Jackson, DeSoto Counties Now at Risk of Non-Attainment
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today stated that new
ozone standards issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) could
negatively impact economic growth, while providing little to no health
benefits. The Obama Administration finalized the new standard at 70 parts
per billion (ppb), down from a limit of 75 ppb under the Bush
Administration. The plan is expected to cost businesses approximately $3.9
billion, most of which is likely to be passed on to consumers.
"This new rule is a solution in search of a problem," Wicker said.
"Proponents of the plan argue that reducing the ozone levels will lead to a
drop in asthma rates. However, history has shown that while ozone levels
have been reduced dramatically over the past few decades, asthma rates
continue to rise. I do not believe that EPA can scientifically demonstrate
that this rule could have any health benefits for Americans."
Roger McClellan, former chairman of EPA's Clean Air Scientific Advisory
committee, recently said: "The EPA and the environmental lobby claim a
stricter ozone standard is needed to reduce asthma cases. But these claims
rely on much higher ozone levels from decades ago. Recent history does not
support this claimed connection. In fact, for well over a decade, asthma
cases have increased by millions while ozone concentrations have declined."
"For many areas around the country, these standards are simply
unachievable," Wicker continued. "Approximately 2,000 counties across the
nation, including two in Mississippi, are at risk of being found in
non-attainment. People living in these areas could see their federal
highway dollars withheld or be forced to install expensive air pollution
control technology – all in an effort to comply with the President's
mandate."
Data collected between 2012-2014 show that Jackson County, with an average
of 71 ppb, would not meet the new standard. DeSoto County is also close to
exceeding the limits with a three-year average of 69 ppb. The consequences
of non-attainment also include emissions offset requirements, mandatory
vehicles inspections, and economic penalties.
