300 Natural Resources & Environment

#34
Eliminate Funding for Development and Implementation of New Ozone Standards

Making the standard any more stringent than the current 75 parts per billion (ppb) would impose significant and unnecessary costs on business and taxpayers, in return for marginal environmental benefits. However, the EPA has proposed regulations for a revised standard between 70 ppb and 65 ppb, with the possibility of going as low as 60 … Continue reading Eliminate Funding for Development and Implementation of New Ozone Standards

#35
Eliminate the Renewable Fuel Standard

Administered by the EPA and more commonly known as the ethanol mandate, the RFS mandates that refineries blend increasing amounts of ethanol into gasoline each year. By law, there must be 15 billion gallons (and no more) of corn-based ethanol and another 21 billion gallons of non-corn biofuels in the nation’s fuel supply by 2022. … Continue reading Eliminate the Renewable Fuel Standard

#36
Eliminate EPA Grant Programs and Information Exchange/Outreach

The EPA should not be funding Environmental Education Grants and other grant programs, such as job-training programs. The EPA has allocated taxpayer money to projects that educate and increase awareness about stewardship. The majority of grants have been awarded to nonprofits with schools being a distant second; the most popular topics are biodiversity and general … Continue reading Eliminate EPA Grant Programs and Information Exchange/Outreach

#37 to #45
Eliminate Nine Climate Programs

When the Clean Air Act (CAA) was passed, Congress never intended or envisioned that CO2, an invisible and odorless gas required for life, would be covered under the law. The potential economic implications of CO2 regulation are staggering, and its effect on everyday life could be unprecedented without offering any measurable environmental benefit. For these … Continue reading Eliminate Nine Climate Programs

#46
Eliminate Regional EPA Programs

Resource management should take into account the fact that environmental conditions will vary from location to location and from time to time. A site- and situation-specific approach takes advantage of the fact that those who are closest to a natural habitat are also those who are best able to manage it. Such practices allow prioritization … Continue reading Eliminate Regional EPA Programs

#47
Lease or Sell Underused EPA Space

The EPA has been leasing unneeded space since 2007, achieving over $12 million in savings. According to a 2013 EPA Inspector General report, the agency could save an additional $21 million every year by leasing all remaining underutilized space. The EPA should maximize use of public space and faithfully steward taxpayer resources.

#48
Eliminate the National Clean Diesel Campaign

While Congress only authorized $30 million for the EPA’s clean diesel program in 2012, hundreds of millions have been spent over the years to develop more than 60,000 pieces of clean diesel technology, such as “emissions and idle control devices, aerodynamic equipment, engine and vehicle replacements, and alternative fuel options.” Diesel Emissions Reduction Act grants … Continue reading Eliminate the National Clean Diesel Campaign

#49
Eliminate Environmental Justice Programs

The EPA’s environmental-justice programs were originally designed to protect low-income communities from environmental harm. However, the EPA now too often goes beyond this purpose. Under the premise of serving low-income communities, the EPA applies the law inconsistently to prevent businesses from developing, thus blocking the very economic opportunity that underserved and disadvantaged communities need. Further, … Continue reading Eliminate Environmental Justice Programs