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EPA’s Proposed Ozone Regulation Puts Chicago Area Jobs at Risk

EPA’s Proposed Ozone Regulation Puts Chicago Area Jobs at Risk

Full Title: EPA’s Proposed Ozone Regulation Puts Chicago Area Jobs at Risk
Author(s):  The Center for Regulatory Solutions
Publisher(s):  The Center for Regulatory Solutions
Publication Date: July 1, 2015
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):

A new economic analysis conducted by the Center for Regulatory Solutions found that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed new regulation to tighten ozone standards could hamstring economic growth in areas of Illinois that support 80 percent of the state’s jobs.

The report details how the EPA’s ozone rule, which would be the most expensive regulation in history, could cause significant economic harm in Illinois – triggering substantial job cuts, reduced business spending, and economic uncertainty as manufacturing companies scramble to comply.

According to EPA data, 21 counties in Illinois would be out of compliance or in “non-attainment” if EPA lowers ground level ozone standards from 75 parts per billion (ppb) to 65 ppb. These 21 counties represent 79 percent, or $613.4 billion, of the state’s gross domestic product (GDP) and 80 percent of its jobs. Costs to comply with this rule and retrofit plants and equipment in order to drastically cut ozone emissions to this level could measure into the billions of dollars.

Specifically, the six counties surrounding Chicago – Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will – would be ground zero for the most onerous reduction obligations. These six counties are home to 65 percent of the state’s population, 73 percent of the state’s GDP and almost 70 percent of the state’s employment. At 65 ppb, five of the six counties would be in non-attainment, which significantly encumbers 65 percent of the state’s jobs….

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