EPA PM PROPOSAL WOULD PREEMPT STATES ON FEDERAL FACILITY CONTROLS

EPA earlier this month quietly proposed a first-time particulate matter (PM) emissions level for federal facilities that sets a so-called de minimis level of emissions -- below which no regulations apply -- which has prompted harsh criticism from at least one environmentalist who says that if EPA finalizes the rule, it would preempt more stringent state standards. Under the proposal, EPA is setting a "general conformity" level for federal facilities' emissions of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) at 100 tons per...