API: EPA Should Complete Current Emissions Standards Before Adding Greenhouse Gas Standards

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Environmental Protection Agency should finalize the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) that remain under development prior to setting new greenhouse gas standards, according to API Director of Regulatory and Scientific Affairs Howard Feldman.

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"It is important that EPA conclude the current revisions to the New Source Performance Standards before moving forward with greenhouse gas standards," said Feldman.

API and other stakeholders have been working with EPA to revise the previous versions of the NSPS as required by the Clean Air Act. "Our recommended changes for flares and process heaters would protect the environment while allowing refineries to operate in a safe and efficient manner. Any New Source Performance Standard must be cost effective and achievable so refineries can continue to make the changes necessary to meet the nation's energy needs.

"The Clean Air Act was never intended to be used to regulate stationary source greenhouse gas emissions. Elected members of Congress should chart U.S. climate change policy. API hopes that EPA will reconsider using NSPS to set greenhouse gas emissions standards and is concerned that such standards will hurt businesses' ability to create jobs and spur economic growth."

API represents more than 450 oil and natural gas companies, leaders of a technology-driven industry that supplies most of America's energy, supports more than 9.2 million U.S. jobs and 7.5 percent of the U.S. economy, and, since 2000, has invested nearly $2 trillion in U.S. capital projects to advance all forms of energy, including alternatives.

SOURCE API