The Obama Administration last week announced plans to significantly reduce the national ambient air quality standards for ground-level ozone. If adopted, the proposed rule would reduce ozone from 0.075 parts per million (ppm) to between 0.060 – 0.070 ppm for any eight-hour period.

The new regulations could require utilities, refineries, gas stations and other businesses to implement costly new policies and technologies to drastically reduce emissions of chemicals that can form smog. Business groups assailed the new regulations, arguing that the proposal could lead to unnecessary energy cost increases and job losses at major businesses and refineries.

For more information, see the EPA’s Website.