S*0814 Resolution, By Leventis, Alexander, Courtney, Fair, Jackson, Lander, 
Martin, O'Dell, Peeler, Setzler, Short, Waldrep and Wilson
 A SENATE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO RETAIN
 THE EXISTING NATIONAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS.

   06/04/97  Senate Introduced and adopted SJ-78

MEMORIALIZING THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO RETAIN THE EXISTING NATIONAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS.

Whereas, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed new standards for ozone and particulate matter; and

Whereas, these new standards significantly impact South Carolina by expanding the number of nonattainment areas from zero to more than eleven, resulting in emissions controls in additional areas and thus imposing significant economic, administrative, and regulatory burdens on more citizens, businesses, and local governments; and

Whereas, there is little, if any, monitoring or speciation data available for fine particulate matter in the range proposed by EPA (2.5 microns or smaller). The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control has stated that it would be extremely difficult to identify major sources of emissions and propose successful control strategies without this data; and

Whereas, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control asserts that there are uncertainties in the medical significance of protection gained by the proposed revision to the ozone standard. There may not be an appreciable amount of health benefits realized by selecting the proposed standard than currently experienced from the existing standard; and

Whereas EPA has projected that the implementation costs associated with the proposed rule changes would outweigh the health benefits that may be realized; and

Whereas, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control believes that a level of protection, equivalent to that in the proposed standard for at-risk populations, can be achieved using voluntary measures such as use of enhanced communication and outreach; and

Whereas, the South Carolina Department of Transportation has determined that the new nonattainment areas resulting from EPA's proposed changes to the ozone standard would create significant difficulties for the department in obtaining approval of transportation plans and programs in South Carolina; and

Whereas, various federal agencies also have raised concerns relative to EPA's proposals, including the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U. S. Department of Energy, and the Office of Management and Budget. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate memorialize the Congress of the United States to take whatever action is necessary to retain the existing standard for ozone to allow sufficient time to assess the impact of the current pollution control programs before imposing more stringent requirements; to retain the existing PM standard and require EPA to conduct the additional PM2.5 monitoring and scientific research needed to address the issue of causality and other important unanswered questions before a proposal for a new PM2.5 standard or a revised PM 10 standard is made; and to require EPA to identify and remedy any unfunded mandates or other administrative and economic burdens for state or local governments or agencies that would derive from changes to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone or particulate matter.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, each member of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation, the Office of Management and Budget, and the White House.