The Obama Administration has released its final rule on ozone levels. The EPA has tightened those standards from 75 down to 70 parts per billion. The major effect on agriculture is likely to be higher electric rates. Nebraska Farm Bureau’s National Affairs Coordinator Jordan Dux says it’s another example of the EPA implementing more costly rules.

Dux says the timing of the rule is not good for farmers and ranchers who are already battling lower commodity prices.

He says the expected hike in electrical rates may hit Nebraska farmers harder than other states in the region.

The new ozone standard will also create problems for many counties who are not even in compliance with the old standard of 75 parts per billion. South Dakota Senator John Thune puts the number of counties in non-compliance at 227.