Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Environment, Manufacturing, & Critical Materials Subcommittee Chair Bill Johnson (R-OH) released a statement today following the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to end the agency’s unnecessary reconsideration of existing air quality standards for ozone, which provide ample protections from air pollutants.

“We are pleased that Administrator Regan has chosen to cease EPA’s unnecessary reconsideration of existing air quality standards for ozone. Protecting people from harmful air pollutants is a key responsibility of the EPA, which confirmed the existing ozone standards as protective of public health just three years ago after an exhaustive scientific review, pursuant to the Clean Air Act’s statutory process. 

“We hope the Administrator will take similar action regarding his reconsideration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) standards, which were also confirmed as protective of public health in 2020, following an exhaustive review that was required by law. Any decision by the Administrator to circumvent this process for PM2.5 compromises trust in the EPA and threatens much needed U.S. manufacturing and economic development in communities across the country.”