Wheeler Downplays Health Effects Data In Rule Retaining Ozone NAAQS

EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler is defending his just-announced final decision to retain the agency’s current federal ozone standards, fending off criticisms from environmentalists, former agency advisers and others that the Trump administration downplayed evidence of adverse health effects in order to avoid tightening the limits. And he confirmed the rule will be immediately effective upon publication in the Federal Register , expected in one or two weeks. This means that the rule will take effect before the inauguration of President-elect...