EPA confirms intent to finalize PM NAAQS by year’s end

EPA is confirming its commitment to issue a final rule likely tightening the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) by the end of the year, amid significant opposition from industry groups and renewed calls from environmentalists for a significantly tougher limit. In its unopposed motion filed Oct. 31 in State of California, et al v. EPA, et al. , EPA asked the court for continued abeyance in the case, which consolidates states’ and environmentalists’ challenges...