EPA Rule Provides Transparency and Consistency in Rulemakings

WASHINGTON, December 9, 2020 – The American Petroleum Institute (API) today issued the following statement welcoming the finalization of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) rule on “Increasing Consistency and Transparency in Considering Benefits and Costs in the Clean Air Act Rulemaking Process.” The final rule provides a consistent process to calculate benefits and costs and supports greater transparency in rulemaking. 

“Strengthening the consistency and transparency of rulemakings is a significant step forward for Clean Air Act provisions and is critical for continuing improvements in U.S. air quality,” API Senior Vice President of Policy, Economics and Regulatory Affairs Frank Macchiarola said. “This policy will help protect public health and the environment cost-effectively as we continue to reduce emissions and invest in innovative technologies while delivering affordable, reliable energy.”

According to the EPA, Americans are breathing the cleanest air in decades as the U.S. has reduced the combined emissions of criteria and precursor pollutants by 77 percent between 1970 and 2019. In fact, from 2018 to 2019, the number of days listed as unhealthy for sensitive groups dropped by 40 percent across the U.S., and the amount of criteria pollutants in the air continued to fall. The natural gas and oil industry has contributed substantially to these improvements, both by reducing its direct emissions and by supplying cleaner fuels to the power and transportation sectors, helping the U.S. lead the world in reducing carbon dioxide emissions since 2000.

Additionally, industry initiatives like The Environmental Partnership are demonstrating action-oriented, cost-effective approaches to reducing emissions of methane and volatile organic compounds.

API represents all segments of America’s oil and natural gas industry. Our more than 600 members produce, process and distribute most of the nation’s energy. The industry supports more than ten million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization. In our first 100 years, API has developed more than 700 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.