Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. letter to T. B., March 5, 1997

Congress of tf)t United States liousc of tacprromtaliSfO ©Hastjington. 2)C 20515-2002 March 5, 1997 Thank you for expressing to me your concerns about the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency’s plan to tighten National Ambient Air Quality Standards under the federal Clean Air Act. I share your concerns. As you know, EPA Administrator Carol Browner recently proposed more rigorous national standards for ozone and particulate matter. I question the EPA’s plans on two different levels. First, it is unclear whether raising such standards would yield environmental benefits which are commensurate with the increased costs which businesses would bear. According to the EPA’s own Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, current ozone standards are sufficient. Since 1990, the number of areas falling into the non-attainment category — localities failing to meet EPA’s healthy air standards — has fallen from 90 to 75 percent. During this period, population and the number of automobiles on the road experienced a sizable increase. This tells me that existing regulations are doing the job. Second, I oppose the kind of government by bureaucratic fiat the EPA proposal represents. We need an honest debate on these matters and not another federal mandate. The EPA’s unilateral approach will, in my opinion, only undermine public support for existing environmental laws and regulation. Indeed, Senator John Chafee — one of the principal environmentalists in Congress and an architect of many of our nation’s environmental laws — has criticized the EPA proposal. Once again, thank you for bringing your views to my attention. Please contact me again if I may be of additional assistance. Sincerely, Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Member of Congress