California Withdraws SIP After Faulting EPA Over Lack Of Civil Rights Guide

Updated November 1 at 12:23 P.M. California regulators have withdrawn a proposed state implementation plan (SIP) for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) after EPA, for the first time, threatened disapproval because it allegedly violated the Civil Rights Act. The state officials are also strongly criticizing EPA for failing to provide guidance for how SIPs can demonstrate compliance with the law’s nondiscrimination requirements. The friction highlights the state pushback EPA is facing as it seeks to elevate environmental justice...