WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Obama administration made another move Wednesday that’s expected to impact coal-fired power plants in West Virginia. Federal EPA administrator Gina McCarthy announced plans to change limits on smog-causing ozone.
McCarthy said the proposal would take the allowable ozone level from 75 parts per billion to 65-70 parts per billion. The current level was set in 2008, the final years of the Bush administration.
McCarthy said Wednesday the ground-level ozone from fossil-fuel burning causes asthma and other respiratory problems to residents in large cities like Washington, D.C.
The ozone pollution standards need to be brought in line with the latest science according to McCarthy. She said that would clean up the air.
“We deserve to know the air we breathe is safe,” McCarthy said in a statement.
The EPA has opened a public comment period on the proposal. The agency faced a Dec. 1 deadline in proposing changes to the current level.
The proposed rule requires states to meet new smog standards. They will have from 2020-2037 to reach the new number depending on the severity of the state’s smog problem.
The EPA has made several other moves in recent years to limit emissions from coal-fired power plants. A number of coal operators have laid off thousands of coal miners in West Virginia in response to a poor coal market and EPA regulations.
West Virginia First District Congressman David McKinley was quick to respond to Wednesday’s announcement.
“West Virginians have already taken a devastating hit from this President and his War on Coal. Essentially, this regulation will take another $1,500 every year out of each West Virginian’s pocketbook. Even the local dry cleaner and gas station will be affected.
“The key item people need to realize is that the EPA is not required to reduce the standard, but merely required to review it. Given the fact that most of our nation is still in the early stages of implementing the 2008 standard and ground-level ozone is dropping, it’s time the President remembers his words from 2011 and retain the current standard,” McKinley said.