STATES RAISE CONSTITUTIONAL CONCERNS OVER URBAN PM COARSE PROPOSAL

Several Western states are warning EPA that agency staff proposals to issue a new standard regulating coarse particulate matter (PM) only in urban areas would violate the U.S. Constitution's equal protection clause by exempting rural areas and failing to protect rural residents' health. At the same time, several of EPA's science advisers are urging the agency not to adopt an urban-only national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for coarse particles, known as "PM coarse," with one adviser believing such a...