LAWMAKERS, AIR OFFICIALS TARGET SHORTFALLS IN EPA PM STANDARDS

California air district officials and state lawmakers said this week that a U.S. EPA plan for controlling particulate matter (PM) emissions is inadequate, furthering state concerns about the health-based federal plan that includes certain exemptions for "rural" areas. In addition to formally opposing the federal proposal, leading state lawmakers may also explore whether California PM standards should be tightened to counter the anticipated effect of the EPA plans. California Sen. Dean Florez (D-Shafter) this week held a hearing of the...