EPA Tightens Air Toxics Reclassification Rule But Punts On Major Issues

EPA’s just-released final rule tightening the conditions for “major” air toxics sources to reclassify as more lightly regulated “area” sources bars some facilities from doing so because of their “persistent” and “bioaccumulative” emissions, but also punts until a future rulemaking proposed “safeguards” designed to prevent backsliding in air quality. The rule , signed by Administrator Michael Regan Aug. 30 and unveiled Sept. 4, also backtracks on EPA’s proposal to make limits on plants’ potential to emit (PTE) pollutants “federally enforceable,”...