EPA’s Proposed Rule Further Restricting Particulate Matter Emissions Would Harm U.S. Economic Development

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a proposed rule today aimed at further restricting soot emissions from power plants, refineries and other industrial facilities. If finalized, the rule would restrict the amount of particulate matter (PM2.5) each facility could emit, from the current standard of an annual average of 12 micrograms per cubic meter to between 9 and 10 micrograms per cubic meter.

Director of CEI’s Center for Energy and Environment Myron Ebell said:

“The EPA’s proposed particulate matter rule is a fantastic jobs bill—for China. In exchange for miniscule alleged health benefits, it would put most of the country off limits for new economic development. The Biden administration has expanded its regulatory war on American energy production to the whole economy.”

CEI senior fellow Ben Lieberman said:

“Fine particulate matter has been declining for decades, and EPA already has a long list of rules in place to reduce it further. The proposed rule is all economic pain for little or no environmental gain.”

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