ACTIVISTS SAY GEORGIA POWER CASE INDICATES LEGAL TOOL FOR PM CUTS

Environmentalists say a recent court victory highlights their ability to use citizen suits as a tool to force utilities to reduce particulate matter (PM) emissions, handing groups a possible strategy to seek emissions cuts beyond the pending requirements under EPA's new nonattainment designations for fine particles. A federal district court issued a Dec. 14 order in Sierra club et al v. Georgia Power Company, ruling that a facility owned by the company violated what are known as "opacity" limits between...