EPA reaches deal to act on western states’ air plans

EPA has reached a proposed consent decree to take overdue final action approving or disapproving a wide range of measures submitted by Arizona, Colorado and Utah under their state implementation plans (SIPs) for meeting national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for ozone, particulate matter (PM) and sulfur dioxide (SO2). The proposed agreement , scheduled for publication in the Federal Register March 5, would settle litigation brought by environmentalists in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California...