EPA changes how it values health benefits of air pollution rules

The EPA announced it will stop assigning dollar values to health benefits from fine particles (PM2.5) and ozone in its regulatory analyses, a change written into a new rule that relaxes turbine-related standards at fossil-fuel power plants.

The Environmental Protection Agency announced a change in how it counts the benefits of air pollution rules. The agency said it will not assign a dollar value to health benefits from fine particles (PM2.5) and ozone while it reconsiders its valuation methods. The change is included in a recently published rule that weakens turbine-related pollution standards for some fossil-fuel power plants. EPA press secretary Brigit Hirsch said the agency will continue to consider health effects but will not monetize those benefits for now. Key points: - The EPA will not monetize health benefits from PM2.5 and ozone in its current regulatory impact analysis. - The change is written into a new rule that relaxes certain turbine air pollution standards for fossil-fuel power plants. - The agency said it still considers health effects, but will pause assigning dollar amounts while it reassesses its methods. - Legal and policy experts noted that courts have not prescribed a single method for monetizing benefits, leaving the approach to the agency's discretion. Summary: Legal and health experts reported the procedural change could affect how costs and benefits of air rules are weighed, while the EPA has announced a review of its valuation methods. Undetermined at this time.