Former EPA Staff See ‘Dangerous Precedent’ In SO2 Designation Revision

Former EPA air officials are warning that the agency’s proposed “correction” allowing five Texas counties to escape being labeled “nonattainment” with sulfur dioxide (SO2) air standards undermines public health protections and sets an unlawful “dangerous precedent” for other areas to win weaker designations subject to less-stringent SO2 controls. In comments submitted to the agency ahead of a Sept. 23 deadline for input on the Texas proposal, the Environmental Protection Network (EPN) of former EPA officials and staff warns that the...