SENATOR COLLINS PRAISES EPA DECISION TO SEEK DELAY OF BOILER MACT RULE
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today filed a motion in federal District Court to request an extension in issuing pending Clean Air Act regulations known as the "boiler MACT" rules. The EPA's motion seeks additional time - until April 2012 - to rework and finalize the rule, and to receive further public comments. Senator Collins wrote a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson in September urging the agency to develop a final rule that would protect the environment and public health while also protecting jobs in the pulp and paper industry, which was co-signed by 40 of her colleagues. In October, Senator Collins spoke with Cass Sunstein, the relevant Administrator within the Office of Management and Budget, reiterating her concern that the capital costs to implement these proposed rules would be far higher than estimated by the EPA.
The proposed rule, which is intended to cut certain air pollutants from boilers, process heaters and solid waste incinerators, could have a significant, and detrimental, impact on many small businesses, including sawmills in Maine that use large boilers. In addition, the rule could impact municipalities, universities and federal facilities which use boilers and could face increased costs associated with the regulations.
"It is encouraging that the EPA has responded to my request to redevelop the final Boiler MACT rules in a balanced way that takes into account the potential impact on our nation's pulp and paper industry and the livelihoods of the millions of families who rely on this important industry," said Senator Collins. "According to industry estimates, this rule could cost Maine businesses $640 million when flexible, less costly approaches could be used to address air pollution from boilers. An extension would allow sufficient time for the EPA to receive additional public comments and reevaluate issues it had not fully considered, in order to produce a rule that will protect the environment and public health while fostering economic recovery and jobs."
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The proposed rule, which is intended to cut certain air pollutants from boilers, process heaters and solid waste incinerators, could have a significant, and detrimental, impact on many small businesses, including sawmills in Maine that use large boilers. In addition, the rule could impact municipalities, universities and federal facilities which use boilers and could face increased costs associated with the regulations.
"It is encouraging that the EPA has responded to my request to redevelop the final Boiler MACT rules in a balanced way that takes into account the potential impact on our nation's pulp and paper industry and the livelihoods of the millions of families who rely on this important industry," said Senator Collins. "According to industry estimates, this rule could cost Maine businesses $640 million when flexible, less costly approaches could be used to address air pollution from boilers. An extension would allow sufficient time for the EPA to receive additional public comments and reevaluate issues it had not fully considered, in order to produce a rule that will protect the environment and public health while fostering economic recovery and jobs."
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