EPA Haze Memo Portends Tougher Federal Policy, Drawing State Concern

摘要

EPA is adopting a tougher reading of its regional haze policy that may drive states to impose stricter emissions controls on sources of haze-forming pollution, outlining the shift in a recent memo, but while environmentalists embrace the development, some states say EPA's memo is late, undermines their plans and may spark litigation. States are now turning in their plans to implement the second phase of EPA's regional haze program, which seeks to restore visibility to natural conditions by 2064 in "Class Ⅰ" areas - national parks and wilderness areas. Under a deadline extended by the Obama administration, states had until July 31 to turn in their state implementation plans (SIPs) for the second period of the program, which covers the years 2018 to 2028.