PHOENIX (Feb. 7, 2024)—Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry President and CEO Danny Seiden released the following statement regarding the EPA’s finalization of a standard on fine particulate matter—or PM 2.5—that will push Maricopa County into a non-attainment designation:
“The entire premise of the Clean Air Act is one of cooperative federalism, where the federal government and state governments work together to address air pollution and maintain air quality standards. Today’s EPA announcement of a new, stricter standard for PM 2.5 eviscerates that idea, replacing cooperation with an unrealistic and unattainable mandate. Arizona and the Southwest face unique issues and should not be subjected to this ineffective, one-size-fits-all approach.
“Arizona job creators believe in cooperative federalism and are good faith partners in efforts to improve air quality. But the federal government’s top-down regulatory approach will have real consequences for Arizona industries like manufacturing, mining, and agriculture, and jeopardizes permitting for new job-creating projects.”
