On October 30, 2007, Betsy Huber, Master (President) of the
PA State Grange, the oldest agricultural and rural advocacy
organization in the Commonwealth, faxed the below letter to
Stephen Johnson, Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency in Washington, D.C. notifying Mr. Johnson
of the Grange's opposition to the new eight-hour
ground-level ozone standard:
Dear Administrator Johnson:
I’m writing to you on behalf of the membership of the
Pennsylvania State Grange to share our concern that the new
eight-hour ground-level ozone standard now being considered by
the EPA would not be in the best interests of rural America. The
current standard, by all accounts, is working well and America
should be allowed to continue the progress made under that
standard.
The proposed new standard, however, is excessive to the
point of being unattainable. It would push counties across the
nation into non-attainment status, including many rural counties
here in Pennsylvania.
As you well understand, non-attainment status would trigger
automatic improvement mandates in agricultural counties where
ozone pollution has never been a problem. In those counties, the
new standard would represent that very dangerous phenomenon of a
solution in search of a problem. Without solving any
environmental problem, the new standard would create serious
economic problems for Pennsylvania farmers in the form of
operating restrictions and other costly regulations.
The position of the Pennsylvania Grange on clean air
programs reflects the policy of the National Grange. We believe
that an effective approach to clean air is a well-rounded one
that takes into consideration the economic effects on all
concerned, including agricultural interests. The proposed new
ozone standard unfortunately fails to do this. It is an
unreachable standard apparently developed without sufficient
thought to its impact on the economy.
By contrast, the realistic current standard has helped the
entire country create a productive balance between continued
clean air progress and continued economic growth. On behalf of
Pennsylvania’s farmers, I urge you to keep the current standard
in place.
Very Truly Yours,
Betsy Huber, Master, Pennsylvania State Grange