Projo Biz Blog

Thirteen states, including Rhode Island, are challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s refusal to adopt stronger ozone standards urged by its own scientists.
-
The public interest law firm Earthjustice filed the lawsuit on behalf of the states, two cities and several organizations, including the American Lung Association, Natural Resources Defense Council, Environmental Defense Fund, National Parks Conservation Association, and Appalachian Mountain Club over the standards EPA adopted in March.

The standards for ozone pollution – commonly known as smog - are not only far weaker than what was unanimously recommended by EPA science advisors, but also leave public health and the environment at great risk, the groups contend.

“EPA officials ignored the advice of their own scientists when they chose these deficient standards, but they can’t ignore the law,” said Earthjustice attorney David Baron, who filed the lawsuit. “The Clean Air Act requires EPA to adopt standards strong enough to protect our lungs and our environment. We’re fighting to make sure that happens. Stronger standards could save thousands of lives, by some estimates.”
-
Among the participants in the suit are California, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, Oregon, the District of Columbia, the city of New York and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

Leave a comment

Name:

Email:

URL:  

Remember personal info?

Captcha:

Type the characters you see in the picture above.