A new ad released by the energy-industry-backed Environmental Policy Alliance attacks the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s new ozone rule, claiming it could lead to over-the-top laws limiting every day activities.
"President Obama's Environmental Protection Agency is considering new regulations on ozone that could trigger some new, crazy laws," says the ad, including "bans on lawn-mowing during certain times of the day, new parking space taxes and new fees based on how many miles you drive your car."
The ad is in response to the EPA's proposal to lower ground-level ozone pollution from 75 parts per billion to somewhere between 65 and 70 parts per million, citing the link between air quality and respiratory illnesses. Overall, the EPA estimates that, though cutting down on ozone emissions would cost somewhere in the range of $16.6 billion, it would save as much as $38 billion in medical costs.
This position isn't enough for the big-energy-backed group, however. They've even gone as far as claiming that the regulation is aimed towards controlling the daily lives of Americans instead of actually trying to protect the environment.
"To comply with the EPA's ozone rules," they argue, "local officials have floated restrictions on lawn mowing, higher vehicle registration costs, time-of-day tolls, and parking space taxes." What they fail to acknowledge, however, it whether these proposals are legitimate suggestions, or simply political grandstanding in an effort to demonize the EPA.
Because of how rapidly they can change, staying on top of and following EPA regulations and policies can be difficult and time consuming. Hiring environmental consultants can help you better understand the latest government trends and regulations, and find quick, cost effective ways to meet them.