WASHINGTON, May 27, 2014 – Nearly the entire country would be “closed for business” if EPA further tightens Ozone NAAQS standards in its upcoming proposal, API director of Regulatory and Scientific Policy Howard Feldman said in a conference call with reporters today. API also released a new map showing which areas would be forced into nonattainment status.

“Our map shows that nearly the entire country would be out of compliance should EPA move forward with this proposal, and this could have a chilling effect on jobs and the economy.

“Tightened standards could impose unachievable emission reduction requirements on virtually every part of the nation, including rural and undeveloped areas. Needless to say, operating under such stringent requirements could stifle new investment necessary to create jobs and grow our economy. These could be the costliest EPA regulations ever.

“With new standards that approach or are even lower than peak naturally occurring levels, virtually any human activity that produced emissions could ultimately be restricted or affected. In some cases, new development simply would not be feasible or permitted.

“We urge EPA to finish their review and include the retention of the existing standards in the proposal. With a fair analysis of the record, we believe retaining the existing standards of 75 parts per billion is the right policy choice.”

Major industry groups submitted their concerns earlier this month in a letter to EPA.

API is the only national trade association representing all facets of the oil and natural gas industry, which supports 9.8 million U.S. jobs and 8 percent of the U.S. economy. API’s more than 600 members include large integrated companies, as well as exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, and marine businesses, and service and supply firms. They provide most of the nation’s energy and are backed by a growing grassroots movement of more than 20 million Americans.