Air

New Jersey filed a lawsuit Feb. 19, 2008, challenging the US-EPA's December 2007 rule that utilities could decide for themselves whether their air pollution increases are significant enough to require detailed record-keeping.

EPA still has not complied with requests from two Congressional investigating committees for documents on its decision to deny California and some 16 other states waivers allowing them to regulate tailpipe greenhouse emissions.

Henry Waxman (D-CA), the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, has vowed to investigate EPA's decision to prohibit states from regulating greenhouse emissions.

EPA has proposed exempting farms from a law protecting the public from toxic air pollutants. Environmental groups have objected.

EPA is required to update its standard for each of the six main "criteria" air pollutants every five years.

Scientists advising the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on air pollution issues are criticizing EPA higher-ups for ignoring their scientific counsel. Specifically, they are accusing the Bush Administration of excising science from the process the agency uses to determine how clean the air we breathe should be. The Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) challenges EPA administrator Stephen L. Johnson.

EPA is expected to release its proposed new standard for ground level ozone by June 20, 2007.

As the summer smog season begins, several sources can help you provide better coverage of this serious health and environmental issue.

Many cities are embarking on coordinated programs designed to significantly increase their tree cover, in order to address issues such as aesthetics, energy use, carbon sequestration, air quality, and stormwater runoff.

On March 29, 2007, EPA finalized the Clean Air Fine Particle Implementation Rule.