WASHINGTON, November 25, 2014 – New ozone NAAQS proposed regulations expected from EPA by December 1 could be the costliest regulations ever imposed on the American public, all while air quality continues to improve under the existing standards, API Director of Regulatory and Scientific Affairs Howard Feldman told reporters during a conference call Tuesday.

“Further tightening the current ozone standards – the most stringent ozone standards ever – is a major concern because of the potential cost and impact on the economy,” Feldman said. “Air quality has improved dramatically over the past decades, and air quality will continue to improve under the existing standards. The current review of health studies has not identified compelling evidence for more stringent standards, and current standards are protective of public health.”

States have only just begun to implement the 2008 standards, according to Feldman. EPA’s implementation guidance for the 2008 rule has not yet been released. The challenges of meeting new standards would be massive and disruptive to the current plans already underway by states and EPA.

A new ozone regulation from the Obama administration could cost $270 billion per year and place millions of jobs at risk, according to a recent NERA report with state by state data.

“With new standards that approach or are even lower than naturally occurring levels, virtually any human activity that produced emissions could ultimately be restricted,” Feldman said. “Given the continued progress in air quality under existing rules, the lack of compelling health data, and the potentially severe impact on the economy and consumers nationwide, EPA should retain the existing standards. It makes good policy sense.”

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 27 million Americans.