EPA PURSUES RULE TO EXCLUDE PM AIR VIOLATIONS BASED ON 'NATURAL EVENTS'

EPA is developing a new rule to detail when states can ignore violations of federal particulate matter (PM) standards due to the impact of "natural events" such as forest fires or wind-borne dust. Yet some state officials are worried the move could open the door to major changes in EPA's current policy on natural events, with uncertain consequences for states that face penalties if they exceed the agency's ambient air quality standards. An agency source says the rule will codify...