EPA Delays Near-Road NO2 Monitoring Network, Citing Funding Constraints

摘要

EPA is proposing to delay its Jan. 1 deadline for states to launch a first-time near-road air quality monitoring network for its nitrogen dioxide (NO2) air standard, citing a lack of federal and state funding to pay for the network and suggesting an alternate approach that could delay the launch of some monitors until January 2017. The delay highlights states' long-running concerns about the difficulties in implementing the monitoring mandates for dozens of near-road monitoring sites in cities with large populations. EPA officials previously committed to crafting a rule to ease the implementation deadlines, in order to address concerns from some state and local air regulators that they could face lawsuits from environmentalists for missing the Jan. 1 launch deadline.