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It’s Here: The Most Expensive Regulation in History

Over the past several months, I have shared with you the staggering effects tighter ground-level ozone standards would have on North Carolina – the estimated job loss, increase in energy costs, and personal stories from our state’s manufacturers. While we had hoped the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would not go to the extreme with the most expensive regulation in our nation’s history, they did exactly that.

The EPA’s new ozone standard, issued today, undermines the manufacturing comeback in North Carolina and the United States. It curtails manufacturers’ ability to grow jobs, increase investments and keep pace internationally—exactly what the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) found in the ozone report we shared with you in July. Visit http://www.nam.org/ozone/ for more information.

We all want clean air and clean water. Over the last 30 years, manufacturers have made great technological advancements to lower ozone levels. Manufacturers continue to be part of the solution to our environmental challenges, but we need reasonable regulations that balance environmental protection with economic growth. This regulation fails that test.

The NC Chamber will continue to work with our state’s manufacturers and the NAM to advocate a better outcome.

Gary J. Salamido
Vice President, Government Affairs
North Carolina Chamber