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Thursday, August 3rd, 2017

16 attorneys general sue Scott Pruitt for blocking implementation of EPA smog rule

Author:     Mark Hand
Source:     Think Progress
Publication Date:     2 August 2017
 Link: 16 attorneys general sue Scott Pruitt for blocking implementation of EPA smog rule
Stephan:   One of the many problems being created by the Trump administration and the Republican Party is that as the rest of the world is moving in one direction because this is a Christofascist faction, America at the Federal level is moving in another direction. I can't think of another example, as outlined in this report, where the real priorities of the Republican Party are clearer. This story screams, not speaks, screams, human life and wellbeing is less important than carbon profits. Make no mistake about that. But it is not all going their way. There is still life and health in the government at the state level, and some states are pushing back. Here's an example.

A Carbon energy power plant

A coalition of 16 state attorneys general filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday for delaying a rule intended to reduce emissions of smog-causing air pollutants.

The states contend that Administrator Scott Pruitt’s proposed one-year delay in compliance deadlines for the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards violate the requirements of the Clean Air Act. The Obama-era regulation lowered the allowable concentration of ozone to 70 parts per billion, from the previous 75.

“By illegally blocking these vital clean air protections, Administrator Pruitt is endangering the health and safety of millions — but attorneys general have made clear: we won’t hesitate to fight back to protect our residents and our states,” New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, who is leading the lawsuit, said in a statement.

Pruitt’s EPA counters that the one-year extension will provide the agency an […]

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