EPA’s Proposed Rule Further Restricting Particulate Matter Emissions from power plants, refineries etc. for mostly symbolic reasons!

As if high price inflation and the specter of an economic recession is not enough! There is an ongoing World War III by any other name!

However, the EPA thinks it's the right time for cosmetic, but costly rule changes!

"The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a proposed rule today [1/6/2023] aimed at further restricting soot emissions from power plants, refineries and other industrial facilities. If finalized, the rule would restrict the amount of particulate matter (PM2.5) each facility could emit, from the current standard of an annual average of 12 micrograms per cubic meter to between 9 and 10 micrograms per cubic meter. ..."

" Today [1/6/2023], the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a proposal to strengthen a key national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for fine particle pollution, also known as PM2.5, to better protect communities, including those most overburdened by pollution. Fine particles, sometimes called soot, can penetrate deep into the lungs and can result in serious health effects that include asthma attacks, heart attacks and premature death – disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations including children, older adults, those with heart or lung conditions, as well as communities of color and low-income communities throughout the United States. These particles may be emitted directly from a source, such as construction sites, unpaved roads, fields, smokestacks, or fires; other particles form in the atmosphere as a result of complex reactions of chemicals such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which are pollutants emitted from power plants, industrial facilities, and vehicles.

EPA’s proposal will specifically take comment on strengthening the primary (health-based) annual PM2.5 standard from a level of 12 micrograms per cubic meter to a level between 9 and 10 micrograms per cubic meter, reflecting the latest health data and scientific evidence"

EPA’s Proposed Rule Further Restricting Particulate Matter Emissions Would Harm U.S. Economic Development - Competitive Enterprise Institute

EPA Proposes to Strengthen Air Quality Standards to Protect the Public from Harmful Effects of Soot New Standards Demonstrate President Biden’s Leadership to Reduce Air Pollution that Threatens Communities