INDIANAPOLIS — Governor Mike Pence joined ten other governors in sending a letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy opposing the agency’s proposal to lower the federal ozone clean air standard from 75 parts per billion (ppb) to between 65 ppb and 70 ppb.
“Once again, the EPA continues its relentless pursuit of harmful federal regulation,” said Governor Mike Pence. “The proposed ozone standards come at the worst possible time. Just as our economy appears to be turning a corner, particularly in Indiana, here comes the EPA with yet another, more stringent standard that will limit economic expansion and impair the ability of Hoosier businesses to create new jobs.”
Currently, 91 of Indiana’s 92 counties meet federal ozone clean air standards. A county that does not meet the standard is categorized as “nonattainment” under federal law. A county in nonattainment must prepare a plan to meet the standard. That plan would include further restricting emissions from both existing and new sources.
