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News Release 364
BLUNT ADMINISTRATION CALLS ON ATTORNEY GENERAL
TO JOIN EFFORT TO PROTECT MISSOURI JOBS
Volume 36-364 |
Contact: Connie Patterson |
(For immediate release) |
573-751-1010 |
JEFFERSON CITY, MO., JUNE 19, 2008 -- Missouri jobs and industry are being threatened by overly strict, debilitating air quality mandates and Department of Natural Resources Director Doyle Childers is calling on Attorney General Jay Nixon to represent the Blunt Administration's position in support of Missouri's economic health. Department of Natural Resources Director Doyle Childers sent a letter to Jay Nixon urging him to stand up for Missouri jobs by joining Mississippi's appeal to halt new federal restrictions.
"This new federal regulation will have a significant negative impact on Missouri's economy, putting thousands of Missouri jobs at risk by resulting in unwarranted and burdensome regulations on industry," Director Childers wrote to Nixon. "This rule does not appear to be based on sound scientific data or considerations of how best to implement ambient air standards. I am requesting that you join the state of Mississippi in their appeal opposing this new rule."
Governor Blunt and Director Childers recognize the importance of maintaining good air quality for the health of Missourians, and in consultation with the department's top air quality and environmental experts agree with national claims that new restrictions are ill advised for several reasons:
- Under the current standard, ozone levels have been on the decline nationally and the department has implemented innovative new programs and technologies and aggressive monitoring to reduce ozone levels in Missouri.
- EPA did not consider the positive effects its current standard is having nationwide when promulgating this new standard.
- EPA failed to take into consideration the mobile nature of ozone and failed to consider addressing the ozone problem at the regional or even national level.
- EPA failed to account for biogenic ozone that occurs naturally. It only accounted for man-made ozone.
- This new standard could have a particularly detrimental effect on St. Louis and Kansas City. The Department of Natural Resources and local governments in those areas have worked hard to reach attainment status at the current standard. This new standard would likely place Kansas City into non-attainment and make it even more difficult for St. Louis to reach attainment, which it is projected to do next year.
- New areas of the state will likely be non-attainment zones under the new rule, which will require additional state and local funds and impose oppressive costs on private industry across the state.
Due to court deadlines, Director Childers requested a response from Attorney General Nixon by Friday as to whether or not he will represent the state of Missouri.
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