TULSA, Okla. (March 17, 2015) – The Gas Processors Association (GPA) filed comments today with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on its proposed rule for National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Ozone.  

On Dec. 17, 2014, EPA proposed stringent new Clean Air Act standards for ozone.  Even though the current 2008 standard of 75 parts per billion (ppb) has not been fully implemented, EPA is proposing to lower it to a range between 70 ppb and 65 ppb and also asks for comments on reducing the standard even lower to 60 ppb.  

GPA is concerned with the proposed rule because it would unnecessarily duplicate recent state and federal regulations already underway and changes the current ozone standard before it can be fully implemented.  

GPA members own and operate facilities in areas that are designated as being in nonattainment for ozone standards, as well as in areas that could be designated nonattainment, so EPA’s proposal will have a significant impact on the midstream industry.

“We all want clean air, but EPA needs to let the current ozone standards be fully implemented and not change the rules in the middle of the game,” said GPA President and CEO Mark Sutton.  “EPA’s proposed rule would severely limit economic growth of the natural gas midstream sector by substantially increasing the number of nonattainment areas.”

‍