Portland Cement Association (PCA), which represents most of America’s cement manufacturers, opposes the proposed decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to tighten the Particulate Matter (PM) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
The move would reverse EPA’s 2020 decision, based on expert recommendations, using the latest and best scientific knowledge, and falling in accordance with the statutory review process prescribed by the primary federal air quality law, Clean Air Act.
EPA data shows Fine Particle Pollution (PM2.5) air quality has improved by 37 percent since the year 2000, and by 8 percent since the current standards were set in 2021. This downward trend in PM2.5 is expected to continue without the implementation of this new stringent EPA ruling.
“The EPA’s proposed decision is yet another regulatory burden that could hamper our members’ ability to manufacture sustainable construction materials to meet the nation’s infrastructure needs”, says Mike Ireland, president and CEO of PCA. “This industry has spent hundreds of millions of dollars implementing state-of-the-art emission technology controls to comply with stringent PM and other air emissions requirements under federal and state regulations. Our companies have always regarded the safety of the air we breathe as top priority. The proposed tightening of PM NAAQS will likely result in PM emissions standards being technically and economically infeasible for the industry to meet.”
PCA aims to provide its comments on the decision to the EPA, telling the agency the ruling is contrary to scientific knowledge, will have significant economic impacts on the industry, and will stymie the federal government’s efforts to implement the historic Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act.
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