CONTACTS: Linda Rozett/Eric Wohlschlegel
(202) 463-5682 / 888-249-NEWS

 

Wednesday, August 27, 2003

 

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Chamber of Commerce commended the Environmental Protection Agency’s refinement of the New Source Review program - a plan that will begin to improve the nation’s air quality regulatory system.

 

“For too long, our nation’s energy and manufacturing facilities have been held hostage to regulatory uncertainty,” said William Kovacs, Chamber vice president for environmental policy.  “This new rule is a good first step in clarifying the new source review program.”

 

The improvements to the new source review program will allow facilities to replace old parts of a process unit without fear that those improvements will put them in violation of unclear regulatory standards.  All power plants will still need to meet stringent environmental controls, according to the Chamber - which has advocated new source review reform for several years.  Facilities will not be able to exceed the tough Clean Air Act permit requirements.  Instead, the new rule will simplify and clarify the regulatory process to help plants meet those standards.

 

“Today's changes will begin to simplify an overly complex program,” Kovacs continued.  “Facilities that have postponed needed equipment repairs because of uncertain regulatory impacts will now have the certainty they need to improve safety and the environment.”

 

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

 

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