EPA Defends Delay Of California Valley PM Attainment In 9th Circuit Case

EPA is pressing the 9th Circuit to deny environmentalists’ challenge of the agency’s approval of a one-year deadline extension for California’s San Joaquin Valley to attain a 1997 annual fine particulate matter (PM2.5) standard, arguing the decision comports with the Clean Air Act (CAA), the agency’s implementing regulations, and a 9th Circuit precedent. “First, both of Petitioners’ arguments conflict with this Court’s well-reasoned decision in Association of Irritated Residents [v. EPA] ,” states EPA’s April 9 answering brief in Little...