The Clean Air Act (“CAA”) envisions states and the federal government working together to improve air quality. Under the CAA, states must develop State Implementation Plans (“SIPs”) to implement National Ambient Air Quality...more
The US Supreme Court issued on June 27, 2024 an opinion in Ohio v. EPA staying enforcement of the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Federal Implementation Plan (FIP). The FIP sought to impose more stringent...more
The United States House of Representatives passed by partisan vote legislation denominated H.R. 7650 that would amend the Clean Air Act titled: “Air Quality Standards Implementation Act of 2024” (“Act”). The Act...more
The United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (“Court”) addressed in a March 1st Opinion an issue addressing start up, shut down and malfunction (“SSM”) provisions. See Environmental Committee of the Florida...more
On March 6, 2024, EPA published its final rule lowering the primary annual National Ambient Air Quality Standards (“NAAQS”) for fine particulate matter (“PM2.5”) to 9.0 micrograms per cubic meter (“µg/m3”). The new, more...more
On March 6, 2024, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published in the Federal Register its long-awaited reconsideration of the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM). In...more
Twenty-four State Attorneys General filed a Petition for Review (“Petition for Review”) in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit challenging a United States Environmental Protection Agency...more
Exercising one of its most important and far-reaching powers under the Clean Air Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has lowered the primary annual National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for fine particulate...more
On February 7, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its Final Rule lowering the primary annual National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) from the current level...more
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) intends to require power plants and other stationary sources in five additional states to comply with the Good Neighbor Plan to ensure that these states do not unlawfully contribute...more
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) announced today a final rule which will tighten the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (“NAAQS”) for fine particulate matter. EPA previously: - Stated on June 10,...more
On February 7, 2024, EPA finalized a rule lowering the primary annual National Ambient Air Quality Standard for PM2.5 to 9.00 ug/m3. This is a significant reduction from the current 12.00 ug/m3 standard and a victory for...more
The Environmental Protection Agency, under the Clean Air Act, requires states to work with the EPA to address the interstate transport of air pollution. Under the “Good Neighbor Plan,” the EPA requires each state to implement...more
The United States Chamber of Commerce (“Chamber”) issued a November 2023 report titled: EPA’s Proposed Air Quality Standards Will Cause Permitting Gridlock Across Our Economy (“Report”)...more
An article in Science published last week indicates that the mortality risk from exposure to PM2.5 from coal-fired electric generating units is roughly twice as high as the risk posed by PM2.5 from other sources. According...more
Seventy trade groups sent an October 31st letter to Mr. Jeffrey Zients who serves as Chief of Staff in the White House addressing the Clean Air Act National Ambient Air Quality Standard (“NAAQS”) for fine particulate matter...more
The first three quarters of 2023 have seen an unprecedented number of rulemakings under the Clean Air Act. The Biden administration has released a new suite of proposed rulemakings with a particular focus on climate change...more
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) announced it is initiating a new review of the Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (“NAAQS”). EPA states it is taking this action based on advice provided...more
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (“CASAC”) transmitted a June 9th letter to Administrator Michael S. Regan addressing: CASAC Review of the EPA’s Policy...more
The National Association of Clean Air Agencies (“NACAA”) submitted March 28th comments to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) addressing its proposed rule to strengthen the National Ambient Air Quality...more
An environmental lawyer walks into a cocktail party. An often-asked question is: What is happening at EPA in your world? What should we be watching that could impact business as usual? Any surprises this year? This article...more
Last week, Inside EPA (subscription required) reported that the Clean Air Science Advisory Committee has pretty much agreed that the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone must be made more stringent. Apparently,...more
The United States Senate Environment & Public Works Committee (“Committee”) held a March 29th hearing titled: The EPA Good Neighbor Rule: Healthier Air for Downwind States (“Hearing”)...more
A 19-state coalition of Republican AGs wrote a letter to the EPA opposing a proposed rule that adjusts the national ambient air quality standards for particulate matter (NAAQS) by lowering the annual allowable levels for air...more
On February 10, 2023, the Sixth Circuit issued an opinion in Sierra Club, et al. v. U.S. EPA, et al., (Case No. 21-3057). The case involved a petition for review filed by the Sierra Club, the Ohio Environmental Council, and...more