EPA Rule Provides Transparency and Consistency in Rulemakings

The American Petroleum Institute (API) Dec. 9 issued a statement welcoming the finalization of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) rule about “Increasing Consistency and Transparency in Considering Benefits and Costs in the Clean Air Act Rulemaking Process.” The final rule offers a consistent process to calculate benefits and costs and supports greater transparency in rulemaking.

“Strengthening the consistency and transparency of rulemakings is a significant step forward for Clean Air Act provisions and is critical for continuing improvements in U.S. air quality,” said Frank Macchiarola, API senior vice president of Policy, Economics and Regulatory Affairs. “This policy will help protect public health and the environment cost-effectively as we continue to reduce emissions and invest in innovative technologies while delivering affordable, reliable energy.”

According to EPA, Americans are breathing the cleanest air in decades as the U.S. has reduced the combined emissions of criteria and precursor pollutants by 77% between 1970 and 2019. From 2018 to 2019, the number of days listed as unhealthy for sensitive groups dropped by 40% across the U.S., and the amount of criteria pollutants in the air continued to fall. The natural gas and oil industry has contributed substantially to these improvements, both by reducing its direct emissions and by supplying cleaner fuels to the power and transportation sectors, helping the U.S. lead the world in reducing carbon dioxide emissions since 2000.

Industry initiatives like The Environmental Partnership are also demonstrating action-oriented, cost-effective approaches to reducing emissions of methane and volatile organic compounds.

API represents all segments of America’s oil and natural gas industry. Its more than 600 members produce, process, and distribute most of the nation’s energy. The industry supports more than 10 million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization. In its first 100 years, API has developed more than 700 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency, and sustainability.

SOURCE: The Weekly Propane Newsletter, December 17, 2020. Weekly Propane Newsletter subscribers receive all the latest posted and spot prices from major terminals and refineries around the U.S. delivered to inboxes every week. Receive a center spread of posted prices with hundreds of postings updated each week, along with market analysis, insightful commentary, and much more not found elsewhere.