SW Arkansas Times

WASHINGTON - Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) expressed his concerns regarding the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) new National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for fine particulate matter (PM2.5). These standards, announced last night, could have significant implications for the U.S. economy.

"These new industry killing standards on fine particulate matter have the potential to jeopardize millions of jobs nationwide and threaten billions in economic activity," says Congressman Westerman. He further emphasizes the negative impact on the forest products industry, which plays a vital role in Arkansas' 4th Congressional District.

Congressman Westerman believes in the importance of improving air quality and being good stewards of the environment. However, he argues that the EPA's decision was not made with the best interests of the environment in mind and poses a significant risk to critical industries. He calls on the EPA to consider the ramifications of their actions and rescind these standards immediately.

The Biden Administration's decision, according to Congressman Westerman, lacks scientific evidence and could result in a loss of billions of dollars in annual economic activity and over 300,000 manufacturing jobs. It is worth noting that this announcement comes two years before the existing PM2.5 NAAQS would undergo a new review process as mandated by the Clean Air Act.

The new PM2.5 NAAQS further break down the standards, posing a threat to economic growth, employment, development, and manufacturing capabilities nationwide. Congressman Westerman has been actively involved in addressing these concerns. In October 2023, he joined 70 Republican Members in urging the EPA to withdraw the proposal and review the PM2.5 NAAQS through the regular review cycle outlined in the Clean Air Act. Unfortunately, Congressman Westerman has not received a response to that letter.

On January 30, 2024, Congressman Westerman sent a follow-up letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan. The letter urged the agency to halt the release of the finalized update.

The EPA's rule summary can be viewed by clicking [here](https://epa.gov/rule-summary).

The implications of the EPA's new NAAQS for PM2.5 standards are a cause for concern for Congressman Westerman. He believes that these standards have the potential to harm the economy and jeopardize jobs. The congressman's efforts to address these concerns include urging the EPA to reconsider its decision and conducting a comprehensive review of the PM2.5 NAAQS. The EPA's response to these concerns remains to be seen.