Trump Admin Ends EPA Clean Air Policy Opposed By Fossil Fuel Interests

CASTLE DALE, UT - OCTOBER 9: Emissions rise from the smokestacks of Pacificorp's 1440 megawatt coal fired power plant on October 9, 2017 in Castle Dale, Utah. It was announced today that the Trump administration's ... CASTLE DALE, UT - OCTOBER 9: Emissions rise from the smokestacks of Pacificorp's 1440 megawatt coal fired power plant on October 9, 2017 in Castle Dale, Utah. It was announced today that the Trump administration's EPA will repeal the Clean Power Plan,that was put in place by the Obama administration. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images) MORE LESS
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is doing away with a decades-old air emissions policy opposed by fossil fuel companies, a move that environmental groups say will result in more pollution.

The Environmental Protection Agency issued notice Thursday it is withdrawing the “once-in always-in” policy under the Clean Air Act, which dictated how major sources of hazardous air pollutants are regulated. Under the EPA’s new interpretation, such “major sources” can be reclassified as “area sources” when their emissions fall below mandated limits, subjecting them to differing standards.

EPA Assistant Administrator Bill Wehrum says the change will “reduce regulatory burden for industries and the states.” Wehrum previously worked as a lawyer representing oil, gas and coal companies.

Environmentalists say the move will dramatically weaken standards for smokestack emissions of arsenic, lead and mercury.

Latest News
Comments
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Associate Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: