A new white from autonomous technology firm Aurora Innovation examines how the cutting edge innovation could reshape the trucking industry and positively affect energy efficiency. 

By using fuel sources more efficiently, autonomous technology could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. The paper looks at the factors influencing energy usage and delves into the specific opportunities and obstacles for autonomous trucking, and it introduces an integrated model for estimating the potential energy savings of a standard over-the-road tractor-trailer in the United States.

The potential benefits

• Autonomous trucks, exempt from hours-of-service regulations, diminish the need to drive at high speeds for quicker arrivals. Consequently, driving at lower speeds reduces fuel consumption per mile. Adopting Aurora鈥檚 strategy of maintaining a speed of 65 mph rather than 70-75 mph could potentially decrease highway fuel usage by 9%-17%.

• Trucks frequently use fuel while idling during driver breaks for rest, meals, or downtime between hauls, accounting for 4%-9% of fuel consumption. Although autonomous trucks cannot eradicate idling entirely, they could optimize driving time more effectively.

• A large amount of energy is expended due to ineffective acceleration and braking. Autonomous trucks have the capacity for eco-driving, which involves strategically optimizing acceleration, braking, and coasting to enhance energy efficiency and lower fuel consumption. Referencing a study highlighted in the white paper, it was discovered that implementing more strategic coasting could result in fuel savings of up to 9.5%.

• Autonomous trucks have the capability to operate almost continuously throughout the day, allowing them to transition more freight transportation to off-peak hours. This shift not only lowers the fuel consumption of autonomous trucks by reducing time spent in traffic but also aids in alleviating congestion and decreasing fuel usage for other vehicles.

Furthermore, the white paper also suggests that the adoption of autonomous trucks could pave the way for accelerated adoption of next-generation powertrains. 

鈥淎s autonomous trucks make hauling freight safer, we have a responsibility to make logistics more sustainable as well. Self-driving technology can fight climate change by increasing energy efficiency and reducing emissions in the supply chain,鈥� paper author Garrett Bray said.

The view from Arizona

Arizona has become a hub for the testing of autonomous passenger and heavy-duty vehicles, which the head of the Arizona Manufacturers Council said enhances the state鈥檚 competitive standing for advanced manufacturing.

鈥淎rizona is a leader in the research, development, and manufacture of next generation automotives, whether they鈥檙e autonomous, electric, or alternative fuel,鈥� AMC Executive Director Grace Appelbe said. 鈥淭he innovations in the heavy-duty truck space are especially exciting because they not only attract new job-creating talent to Arizona, but they also are likely to have an immediate positive effect on our supply chain and logistics sector, which further enhances the state鈥檚 economic competitiveness.鈥�

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The Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday voted to ban noncompete agreements. The ban would prohibit new noncompete agreements for every employee and mandate that companies inform both current and former staff that they won鈥檛 be enforcing such agreements. Additionally, businesses will be obligated to revoke existing noncompete agreements for the majority of their employees. Senior level executives鈥� agreements, however, may remain intact. 

The FTC view

Commission members backing the ban argue that noncompete agreements are unfair for workers. 

鈥淚t is so profoundly unfree and unfair for people to be stuck in jobs they want to leave, not because they lacked better alternatives, but because noncompetes preclude another firm from fairly competing for their labor,鈥� FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter (D) said. 

The chairwoman of the FTC argued that the ban will foster new business formation.

鈥淣oncompete clauses keep wages low, suppress new ideas, and rob the American economy of dynamism, including from the more than 8,500 new startups that would be created a year once noncompetes are banned,鈥� said FTC Chair Lina M. Khan. 鈥淭he FTC鈥檚 final rule to ban noncompetes will ensure Americans have the freedom to pursue a new job, start a new business, or bring a new idea to market.鈥�

Businesses strongly disagree

Business groups blasted the rule, arguing that noncompetes are important to the protection of intellectual property and that the FTC lacks the authority even to issue such a ban. 

Bills have been introduced in Congress to reform noncompete agreements, but no authority has been explicitly granted to the FTC. 

Suzanne Clark, president and CEO of the U.S. 小红帽直播app of Commerce said that the ban is 鈥渁 blatant power grab that will undermine American businesses鈥� ability to remain competitive.鈥�

Melissa Holyoak and Andrew Ferguson, two of the agency鈥檚 Republican commissioners, echoed these sentiments. 

鈥淲e are not a legislature,鈥� Ferguson . 鈥淚 do not believe we have the power to nullify tens of millions of existing contracts.”

In a press release from the National Association of Manufacturers, the organization that the ban is 鈥淯nprecedented and threatens manufacturers鈥� ability to attract and retain talent. In addition, today鈥檚 action puts at risk the security of intellectual property and trade secrets 鈥� anathema to an industry that accounts for 53% of all private-sector R&D.鈥� 

The Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce & Industry called it 鈥渇ederal overreach at its finest.鈥�

Read more

Arizona 小红帽直播app President and CEO Danny Seiden in a column last year when the ban was originally floated by the FTC, said, 鈥淭he proposed rule stretches the agency鈥檚 mission to the point of absurdity and seeks to unilaterally reinterpret the section of the Federal Trade Commission Act on 鈥榰nfair methods of competition,鈥� never mind what the pesky legislative branch or the 50 states might have to say on the subject.鈥�

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小红帽直播app sat down recently with Benji Backer, the founder of the American Conservation Coalition and the author of The Conservative Environmentalist: Common Sense Solutions for a Sustainable Future, which will be released Apr. 16.

Here鈥檚 part 1 of our conversation. Portions have been edited for clarity.

小红帽直播app: What is the American Conservation Coalition?

Benji Backer: The American Conservation Coalition is an organization I started when I was at college at the University of Washington. The last 16 years I have been active in politics. My other passion is being in the outdoors, which led me to move to Arizona. I fell in love with the outdoors here. To me, when I’m in nature, the environment itself doesn’t seem political or partisan. and I became super frustrated that the narrative in environmental politics has been and was at the time basically like this Green New Deal alarmist, 鈥渢he world’s gonna end鈥�, or we need huge government action to overhaul the economy, or we should be doing nothing 鈥� that there’s no problem at all.

So, the American Conservation Coalition and this book aim to fill that gap by creating a grassroots community of young people like me 鈥� 40,000 of us now over 200 communities 鈥� in chapters that are pushing elected officials, business leaders, and decision makers to prioritize the environment in a way that is good for humanity, good for our economy, good for our individual lives, and allowing us to have individual liberty and prosperity at the same time. It鈥檚 basically creating an alternative environmental movement.

CBN: Do you anticipate the Coalition making its voice heard in the presidential election?

Backer: We feel like the presidential election this year and previous years has been an encapsulation of part of the problem, which is that the narrative is still kind of this doom and gloom. 鈥淲e need drastic action,鈥� versus 鈥渢hese issues don鈥檛 matter.鈥� 

We feel like, regardless of who wins, we need to make progress, and we need to do it in a common sense, realistic way. So, we鈥檙e not going to be weighing in on endorsing a candidate in the 2024 election.

We will be endorsing some congressional candidates 鈥� ones that have prioritized the environment and prioritized this kind of common sense, pro-economy approach. But at the presidential level, we just feel like it鈥檚 another election where, unfortunately, even though most Americans don鈥檛 believe the denial versus alarmist narrative, that鈥檚 unfortunately the narrative that we’re kind of having to buy into by choosing a candidate. So we鈥檙e just setting our sights on what we can accomplish after the election at the state and federal levels.

Benji Backer, Founder and Executive Chairman, American Conservation Coalition

CBN: Why do you believe conservatism, properly understood, goes hand in hand with conservation?

Backer: The conservatives used to lead environmental progress. You look back at Teddy Roosevelt, to Richard Nixon, to Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush, those four presidents, all Republicans, led the most historic environmental initiatives of all time. The Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, creation of the EPA, creation of the National Park system as we know it, the largest marine sanctuary and public lands protections of all time. Those are all under those presidents.

Conservatism used to have conservation as a core pillar of its value system. But most importantly, there鈥檚 a reason for that. And the reason is, conservatives who tend to  be freedom loving Americans who appreciate the beauty of our country, love to recreate in nature. They’re often the hunters and fishermen and women. They鈥檙e the ranchers and the farmers. They鈥檙e the hikers and skiers and people who just love spending time outdoors. Of course they want to protect [the environment]. And, you know, conservatives tend to be more often than not located in rural areas, which are nestled in nature itself.

When you think about Arizona, or you think about any of the states in the West, the most conservative parts are parts in nature, and they have a personal stake in protecting the environment. So, what my message is, is that this issue used to be one that conservatives led on and it can be again. It鈥檚 an authentically conservative position, but it鈥檚 authentically a nonpartisan position as well. To me nature is nonpartisan 鈥� to me the environment is something that we all share.

CBN: Can the views and agenda of the American Conservation Coalition and those expressed in your book still have a home in today鈥檚 version of conservatism, which tends to be defined by the views and attitudes of the former president and his supporters?

Backer: I think the conservative movement has absolutely lost its way on these issues. This is a new problem, and it鈥檚 one that is so avoidable and unnecessary. 

The reason why Trump supporters and conservatives are so skeptical of environmental action is because they perceive that the only solutions are ones that are going to hurt them and take control of their lives. And what I鈥檓 trying to tell conservative leaders and voters is that that鈥檚 not the case. Just because you don鈥檛 like the other side鈥檚 ideas doesn鈥檛 mean that you can鈥檛 propose good ideas of your own. You should be playing offense and proposing good ideas.

I don’t think that it鈥檚 too late to turn the tide by any means, but I do think that it鈥檚 harmful when the president talks about the environment as basically a consumer good, and that we can just kind of tap into it as much as we want and that there aren鈥檛 any repercussions. I think he’s very misguided in that, and I think if he wants to show young people that he actually cares about them and this country, he changes his tune. 

This issue is going to be important past the time that Trump is relevant. This is going to be something that we have to fight for for decades, and my generation’s right and left isn’t going to tolerate environmental inaction.

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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently published a new that requires that both employer and employee representatives have the opportunity to accompany OSHA compliance officers during the physical inspection of a workplace. This has been referred to as the 鈥渨alkaround rule.鈥�

The original ruling was amended to include, 鈥淸t]he representative(s) authorized by employees may be an employee of the employer or a third party.鈥�

According to many business groups, including the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA), the new ruling OSHA鈥檚 authority.  

The AHLA joined the Coalition for Workspace Safety (CWS) in and a to the House Subcommittee on Workforce protections back in September. 

One worry is that the ruling will allow those engaged in actions against businesses 鈥� such as environmental activists and union organizers 鈥� to gather information to be used against the business and for the possible purpose of obtaining confidential information and targeting specific workers for a union organizing drive. 

鈥淭he final rule would fundamentally change the nature of the workplace safety inspections and put OSHA in the middle of organizing campaigns and/or labor negotiations between the employer and union,鈥� AHLA said. 鈥淭hese individuals, who could be union organizers, environmental activists, or engaged in some other campaign against the employer, could use the inspection as an opportunity to collect information about the workplace, target workers for an organizing drive, or simply obtain proprietary information.鈥�

Also, in another expansion of its authority, OSHA will be able to decide what third party qualifies as an 鈥渁uthorized representative.鈥� This ability was previously reserved solely for the National Labor Relations Board. 

鈥淭his is another clear example of the federal regulatory onslaught 鈥� a proposal that upends settled precedent and ignores the reasoned decision-making required by the Administrative Procedure Act. For these reasons, the NAM will be considering legal action to reverse this incredibly destabilizing decision,鈥� NAM said in a statement. 

The U.S. 小红帽直播app of Commerce said it would also consider legal action.

鈥淲e are disappointed OSHA has chosen to inject union organizing tactics into inspections that should be focused solely on workplace safety,鈥� U.S. 小红帽直播app Vice President of Workplace Policy Marc Freedman said. 鈥淭his regulation further demonstrates this Administration鈥檚 determination to aid unions whenever possible, even at the expense of an agency鈥檚 core mission. The 小红帽直播app is considering all options, including litigation, in response to this flawed rule.鈥�

Also, the ruling could property rights of employers and rights guaranteed by the fourth amendment. By including a third party in inspections alongside compliance officers, OSHA runs the risk of conducting searches on employers that may be deemed unreasonable, with no recourse available. Employers are safeguarded by the Fourth Amendment’s exclusionary rule in cases where OSHA secures an improper warrant. 

The final ruling goes into effect on May 31.

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The House on January 31 passed the Tax Relief For American Families And Workers Act, 357-70.听Despite its broad, bipartisan support, the bill to extend and enhance several elements of the tax code, many of which are important to America鈥檚 businesses, is stalled in the Senate, prompting a call for action from national business groups like the National Association of Manufacturers.听

The NAM released a campaign last week urging the Senate to take action on the bill.

鈥淰ital tax provisions are expiring, harming our ability to compete globally and invest in new factories and equipment,鈥� the ad says. 鈥淭he House has done its job and restored these provisions with overwhelming support. The Senate needs to act now.鈥�

The U.S. 小红帽直播app of Commerce it would include the bill on the group鈥檚 congressional scorecard, which helps determine campaign endorsements. 

Tax reforms for families and business

• Modifies the calculation of the refundable portion of the child tax credit for 2023-2025.
• Increases the maximum refundable amount per child to $1,800 in 2023, $1,900 in 2024, and $2,000 in 2025.
• Allows taxpayers to elect to use prior year earned income for the earned income tax credit in 2024 and 2025.
• Allows taxpayers to delay deducting domestic research costs over a five-year period until 2026.
• Extends depreciation, amortization, or depletion allowances for determining the business interest deduction.
• Extends 100% bonus depreciation and increases limitations on expensing depreciable business assets.

Opposition from GOP

The enhanced child tax credit provisions have bogged down negotiations in the Senate, where Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, the ranking member on the Senate Finance Committee, says he wants significant amendments.

鈥淲hile my concerns with the bill may be frustrating to some, they should not be surprising.听I remain concerned the CTC provisions undermine the work requirement and represent a significant shift 鈥� described by some Democrats as a down payment 鈥� to transform the CTC from primarily working family tax relief into a government subsidy,鈥� Crapo .听

Only nine Republican votes would be necessary to prevent a filibuster and bring the bill to a vote, but so far most GOP senators are aligned with Crapo. Only Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., has his colleagues to move the bill forward.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has already passed a to get the ball rolling, however without assurances he can secure the 60-vote threshold to overcome a filibuster, he鈥檚 unlikely to put the bill on the floor.

Maybe next year?

Part of Crapo and Republicans鈥� calculus includes their expectation that they鈥檒l control the Senate next year and will be able to extract a better deal than what passed the House.

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The Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce & Industry joined state Senate President Warren Petersen and House Speaker Ben Toma in filing a petition Monday in the United States Court of Appeals to contest the Environmental Protection Agency鈥檚 recent regulation regarding fine particulate matter, or PM2.5. 

Their argument asserts that the regulation 鈥渆xceeds the agency鈥檚 statutory authority and otherwise is arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, and not in accordance with law.鈥�

In November of 2023, the 小红帽直播app and the Arizona Manufacturers Council and the National Association of Manufacturers challenged the EPA鈥檚 proposed rulemaking.

Earlier this month, the National Association of Manufacturer鈥檚 Legal Center sued to block the EPA鈥檚 rule that lowered the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) to 9 micrograms per cubic meter.

The NAM has advocated for retaining the current standards. Lowering the standard to 9 micrograms per cubic meter is far ahead of other countries, the European Union plans to reduce its standard to 10 by 2030, the United Kingdom plans to reduce its standard to 10 by 2040. 

The new, more aggressive U.S. standard will cause numerous issues for manufacturers, crippling production. 

According to the , the regulation is projected to endanger activity valued between $162.4 billion and $197.4 billion, potentially putting at risk 852,100 to 973,900 existing jobs.

 鈥淎rizona’s businesses understand the importance of environmental stewardship, but the EPA’s new standard on fine particulate matter disregards the collaborative spirit of environmental regulation,鈥� 小红帽直播app President and CEO Danny Seiden said. 鈥淏y imposing unrealistic mandates, the federal government is hindering our ability to address local challenges effectively.

鈥淎rizona needs solutions that consider our unique circumstances and promote sustainable economic growth without unnecessary regulatory burdens. The EPA鈥檚 one-size-fits-all approach will have real consequences for industries across our state and will jeopardize future job creation. But aside from the economic implications, EPA鈥檚 action exceeds its statutory authority and threatens the balance of cooperative federalism essential for effective environmental governance.

鈥淲e are grateful to President Petersen and Speaker Toma for standing with the 小红帽直播app and with Arizona job creators, and we encourage the Court to overturn this harmful and unlawful rule.鈥�

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It鈥檚 an election year, with the Presidential Preference Primary this week, the party primaries in July, and the general election in November.

But less discussed are the SRP Association and District elections.

Here鈥檚 a brief explainer of how the elections work.

When鈥檚 the election?

The officials of each organization are elected on the first Tuesday in April of even-numbered years, which this year is April 2.

Who can vote?

To vote you must own eligible property within certain zones. You must also be at least 18 years old. Here is a of the zoning. 

What is the Association? What is the District?

The SRP is made up of two organizations 鈥� the Salt River Valley Water Users鈥� Association and the Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District. 

This Association is a private company formed in 1903. The District is a political subdivision of the state of Arizona. It is focused on agricultural improvement and was created in 1937. 

The Association supplies almost 1 million acre-feet of water to a service area spanning 240,000 acres in metropolitan Phoenix. A vast water delivery network, consisting of 1,265 miles of canals, laterals, and smaller channels, is fed by the reservoir system. This network facilitates the distribution of water to urban and agricultural users, encompassing cities, towns, and urban irrigators.

Being a political subdivision of the state, the District has the authority to issue tax-exempt municipal bonds. This action effectively lowers interest expenses, resulting in substantial savings for SRP electric and water consumers, amounting to millions of dollars.

How do you cast a ballot?

By mail or by casting a ballot at an SRP Voting Center.

To request a ballot, call (602) 236-3048. Requests for early ballots will be taken until March 22. Mailed ballots must be returned by Apr. 2. 

The Voting Center at 1500 N. Mill Avenue in Tempe, Arizona, 85288, will operate from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. 

Additionally, individuals who have not returned their early mail ballots earlier can deliver them to the SRP Voting Center or either of the two off-site ballot drop-off locations. These drop-off locations will be open exclusively on Election Day from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. 

The two off-site drop-off sites are 

• SRP West Valley Service Center, located at 221 N. 79th Avenue, Tolleson, Arizona, 85353 
• SRP Southside Water Service Center at 3160 S. Alma School Road, Mesa, Arizona, 85210

How long does a term last?

The terms last four years for all positions. However, voting is staggered, with only half of the offices being available each voting cycle. 

Once elected, what are members鈥� responsibilities?

President and Vice President 

The president of each organization holds the highest position and oversees all other officers in carrying out their responsibilities, as well as managing the affairs of the organization. Additionally, the president chairs all meetings of the respective board and serves as an ex officio member of that board. In the absence of the president, the vice president assumes their duties and responsibilities. Together, they act as the daily representatives of the boards in managing SRP.

Board 

The boards set forth distinct policies and oversee the operations of their respective organizations. The Association adheres to its Articles of Incorporation and By-laws, while the District operates in compliance with Arizona statutes and its own By-Laws. 

Both organizations also abide by Federal Reclamation Law and relevant legislation. For instance, the District board establishes power prices, approves fuel contracts, and authorizes significant equipment purchases. Additionally, both boards have the authority to approve water rates.

Council 

While the boards establish particular policies governing SRP’s management, the councils enact and adopt by-laws, ensuring their enforcement for the governance, business management, and conduct of affairs within each organization. They also address vacancies occurring within the boards and councils, and determine compensation for board and council members. Furthermore, the District Council has the authority to approve revenue bonds issued by the District.

Who鈥檚 running?

There are many candidates running for both the District and the Association. 

Those running for the Association鈥檚 board are Larry Rovey, Mario Herrera, Andrea Moreno, Lauren Kuby, Stephen Williams, Nick Brown, Keith Woods, Robert Arnett, and Anna Morr-Almeida. 

Candidates running for the Association鈥檚 council are Tyler Francis, Ron Kolb, Clifford Leatherwood, Aaron Herrera, Richard Swier, Paul Van Hofwegen, John Augustine, Ashley Hodge, John Lines, Roberta Miller, John Penry, John Shelton, Eric Gorsegner, Mark Lewis, Barry Paceley, Colleen Resch-Geretti, Harmen Tjaarda Jr., Allen Freeman, Mark Freeman, Shelly Gordon, Adam Hatley, Ericka Varela, and Ryan Winkle.

Those running for the District鈥檚 board are Kevin Johnson, Mario Herrera, Andrea Moreno, Lauren Kuby, Stephen Williams, Nick Brown, Keith Woods, Robert Arnett, Anna Mohr-Almeida, Lisa Atkins, Casey Clowes, Anda McAfee, Victor Flores, and Sandra Kennedy.

Candidates running for the District鈥檚 council are the same as those running for the Association鈥檚 council.

Do you have to register with the SRP to vote in the elections? 

No, the SRP Corporate Secretary keeps track of real property ownership within the District and Association boundaries, as recorded by the Maricopa County Recorder. This includes the allocation of votes or fractional votes to each owner. However, it’s important to note that District voters must be registered within the State of Arizona to participate in voting.

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Two years after proposing an expansive and expensive climate disclosure regulation for public corporations, the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6 adopted more narrow requirements amid concerns over potential legal disputes and recent court rulings, including one from the Supreme Court, that raised questions about the extent of the regulatory body’s jurisdiction. 

National Association of Manufacturers 

鈥淭he NAM demonstrated for the SEC the practical realities of such a sweeping proposed rule, encouraging the SEC to make significant changes to remove inflexible and infeasible mandates, require disclosure only of material information and protect small manufacturers from the impact of these requirements. Among other critical issues, the NAM called on the SEC to remove the rule鈥檚 onerous and unworkable Scope 3 supply chain emissions reporting mandate鈥攚hich the SEC has now done,鈥� NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons said.  

U.S. 小红帽直播app of Commerce 

“For two years now, the U.S. 小红帽直播app of Commerce has raised significant concerns about the scope, breadth, and legality of the SEC鈥檚 climate disclosure efforts. We are carefully reviewing the details of the rule and its legal underpinnings to understand its full impact. While it appears that some of the most onerous provisions of the initial proposed rule have been removed, this remains a novel and complicated rule that will likely have significant impact on businesses and their investors. The 小红帽直播app will continue to use all the tools at our disposal, including litigation if necessary, to prevent government overreach and preserve a competitive capital market system,鈥� U.S. 小红帽直播app of Commerce Center for Capital Markets Competitiveness Executive Vice President Tom Quaadman. 

The SEC also modified the initially suggested Scope 1 and Scope 2 disclosures, now mandating that only larger companies furnish emissions data if it鈥檚 deemed material. Scope 1 pertains to direct emissions, while Scope 2 refers to indirect emissions from purchased energy. The SEC dropped Scope 3 entirely, which would have required reporting across customers and supply chains and would be difficult for companies to calculate.  

The regulation mandates that companies must divulge the capitalized costs, expenditures, and losses associated with carbon offsets and renewable energy credits or certificates if they utilize them as significant elements in attaining their climate objectives or targets. 

Despite its narrower scope than originally proposed, the rule could still face a legal challenge from industry that it violates the 鈥渕ajor questions鈥� doctrine, which the Supreme Court cited in West Virginia v. EPA, a 2022 ruling that curbed EPA鈥檚 ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired power plants and that requires Congress to give agencies permission to adopt policies of significant political or economic consequence.  

鈥淭he NAM remains committed to ensuring the SEC acts within its statutory authority, prioritizes flexibility and provides much-needed guidance鈥攋ust as we are committed to providing leadership in addressing environmental challenges,鈥� said Timmons, 鈥淭his is why the NAM is keeping all options on the table as we evaluate the rule鈥檚 potential impacts on the manufacturing sector.鈥�

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The National Association of Manufacturers has moved to block a rule from the EPA that lowers the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) to 9 micrograms per cubic meter.

The NAM Legal Center has sued to block the ruling. The NAM and the EPA had a similar conflict in November. 

鈥淚n pursuing this discretionary reconsideration rule, the EPA should have considered the tremendous costs and burdens of a lower PM2.5 standard,鈥� NAM Chief Legal Officer Linda Kelly said. 鈥淚nstead, by plowing ahead with a new standard that is vastly more restrictive than any other national standard, including that set by the EU, the agency not only departs significantly from the traditional NAAQS process, but also gravely undermines the Biden administration鈥檚 manufacturing agenda鈥攕tifling manufacturing investment, infrastructure development and job creation in communities across the country. The NAM Legal Center is filing suit to protect manufacturers鈥� ability to obtain permits, expand facilities and pursue long-term investment plans, and defend our country鈥檚 competitive advantage.鈥�

The Clean Air Act mandates that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conduct a review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) every five years to assess the adequacy of the PM2.5 standard. 

Recently, the EPA performed an out-of-cycle reconsideration of this standard. In December 2020, after a comprehensive review, the EPA chose to maintain the PM2.5 standard at 12 micrograms per cubic meter. However, in June 2021, the agency announced its intention to revisit this decision. 

NAM submitted comments advocating for the retention of the current standard. The EPA has reported a 42% reduction in PM2.5 concentrations since 2000, attributing this decline to significant emissions reductions from various sources, including the mobile sector and power generation. 

Notably, the European Union鈥檚 standard stands at 25 micrograms per cubic meter, with a proposed reduction to 10 by 2030, while the United Kingdom aims to achieve a standard of 10 by 2040. 

The EPA acknowledges that a substantial portion (70%) of particulate matter originates from nonmanufacturing sources, such as wildfires (29%), agriculture and prescribed fires (15%), crop and livestock dust (12%), unpaved road dust (10%), paved road dust (3%), and general “dust” (2%).

Arizona business community: new standard undermines cooperative federalism

The Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce & Industry has been equally critical of the EPA鈥檚 new PM2.5 standard, saying it undermines the idea of cooperative federalism embedded in the Clean Air Act and replaces 鈥渃ooperation with an unrealistic and unattainable mandate.

鈥淎rizona and the Southwest face unique issues and should not be subjected to this ineffective, one-size-fits-all approach,鈥� 小红帽直播app President and CEO Danny Seiden said. 鈥淎rizona job creators believe in cooperative federalism and are good faith partners in efforts to improve air quality. But the federal government鈥檚 top-down regulatory approach will have real consequences for Arizona industries like manufacturing, mining, and agriculture, and jeopardizes permitting for new job-creating projects.鈥�

The 小红帽直播app last week hosted Joe Goffman, the head of EPA鈥檚 Office of Air and Radiation to discuss this and other EPA proposals that have the potential to constrain economic growth in the state.

Congressional delegation weighs in

Arizona U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego (D) wrote to EPA Administrator Michael Regan to urge the agency to acknowledge that some pollution is outside the control of the state.

鈥淓fforts to address air pollution in Arizona must focus on practical solutions that both account for the sources of pollution, including sources outside of impacted communities, and for ongoing efforts around electrification and environmentally conscious development,鈥� Gallego said in his .

鈥淲e appreciate Rep. Gallego鈥檚 decisive stand against EPA measures that unfairly penalize Arizona for emissions beyond our control,鈥� Seiden said. 鈥淭he 小红帽直播app supports his call for pragmatic solutions, recognizing that 80% of the pollution affecting our state originates elsewhere. We thank Rep. Gallego for his leadership and join him in calling for a balanced approach that fosters both environmental sustainability and economic growth.鈥�

U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) has partnered with Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) to introduce legislation to modernize the Clean Air Act to include permitting reforms that will encourage business and job growth.

鈥淎rizona is home to the resources and businesses that serve as the bedrock for the clean energy technologies of the future. Our bipartisan legislation responsibly updates the Clean Air Act to help develop new clean energy technologies, attract more businesses to Arizona, create strong jobs for Arizona families, and ensure clean air for generations to come,鈥� she said.

The 小红帽直播app supports the effort.

鈥淚ndustries in the region have demonstrated their willingness to act responsibly under the Clean Air Act, but we require a partner at the federal level who is equally committed,鈥� Seiden said.

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The on Tuesday released its fourth report in its Advancing America series, , which outlines the essential role of the natural gas industry in sustaining the operations of the American pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. 

鈥淭he value natural gas brings to America鈥檚 pharmaceutical industry is tremendous,鈥� AGA President and CEO Karen Harbert said. 鈥淔rom the gloves and mask a surgeon wears, to the disinfectants used in hospitals, to the life-saving medicines Americans depend on and the bottles they come in, natural gas and other petrochemical molecules are indispensable.鈥�  

Highlights from the report include: 

• The pharmaceutical manufacturing industry in the United States sustains 1.8 million jobs, contributes to an economic output of $663 billion, generates $338 billion in GDP, and yields $30 million in state and local taxes.

• Businesses across the entire pharmaceutical manufacturing supply chain in the United States utilize more than 104 billion cubic feet of natural gas each year, equivalent to the annual natural gas consumption for all households in Missouri.

• A significant majority of adults, totaling 86%, believe that policymakers should prioritize reducing out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.

鈥淣atural gas is essential to putting downward pressure on pharmaceutical prices,鈥� Arizona Manufacturers Council Executive Director Grace Appelbe said. 鈥淲ithout it, drug manufacturing costs would spike, putting some medicines out of reach for too many and driving up healthcare costs broadly.鈥�

Manufacturing facilities of all types, including drugmakers, rely on natural gas for its 24/7 reliability and the delivery of stable heating and temperature control, which is critical to the development and storage of medicines. 

鈥淎s we learned during the pandemic with the rollout of the vaccines, undependable temperature controls harm a medicine鈥檚 potency and could make for life altering results,鈥� Appelbe said. 

The report found that facemasks, disposable gloves and syringes are also manufactured from petrochemical feedstocks like natural gas and are critical to combating the spread of disease. Petrochemical feedstocks are used for 129 billion facemasks, 300 billion medical gloves, and 979 million American vaccine syringes.  

鈥淭his report is a reminder that removing natural gas from the nation鈥檚 energy portfolio would have real-world consequences,鈥� Appelbe said. 鈥淲ithout natural gas鈥� reliability and contribution to lifesaving manufacturing, our country is less safe and less healthy.鈥�

Medical equipment and pharmaceutical manufacturers in Arizona include Dexcom, Medtronic, Roche Tissue Diagnostics, and Bristol-Myers Squibb, as well as major commercial pharmacies like Express Scripts.听

Previous AGA reports in the series have examined natural gas鈥� contribution to the healthcare sector and to tourism and hospitality.

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