EPA Plugs Loophole to Stop Industrial Polluters and Reduce Smog

The Environmental Protection Agency's Administrator Lisa
Jackson announced today that it is stopping a last-minute move by the
Bush administration that would have allowed industrial facilities to
increase smog and soot emissions. The Natural Resources Defense Council
petitioned the EPA to block this action under the "new source review"
policy of the Clean Air Act. By granting the reconsideration and
administrative stay, the EPA will now have 90 days to review the policy
and determine whether or not to remove the loophole -- which would
prevent industries from causing further pollution.

Following is a statement by John Walke, director of the Clean Air Program for Natural Resources Defense Council:

"With
this action, Administrator Jackson is demonstrating swift and strong
leadership by blocking industries from creating more soot and smog. The
Bush administration gave this parting gift to polluters, despite
protests by EPA's professional staff and bi-partisan state officials.
The loophole would have allowed industrial polluters, like oil
refineries and chemical plants, to increase dangerous air pollution and
escape clean-up responsibilities. Following this welcome change of
direction by the EPA, NRDC is confident that the Obama administration
will drop this harmful rule change completely, giving Americans a
breath of fresh air."

Link to EPA action and petition:https://www.epa.gov/nsr/actions.html