Latest EPA Guidance Weakens Air Protections In Favor Of Industry: Critics

"The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Tuesday released its newest definition for ambient air in a move critics say will ease burdens on polluting industries.

On its surface, the guidance deals less directly with air quality than it does with fencing. Though seemingly unrelated, the Clean Air Act doesn’t apply to spaces where the public has been denied access, forcing polluting industries to surround their property with fencing.

The guidance posted Tuesday would allow industries to use other “non-physical barriers” to enclose those spaces, such as no trespassing signs or even patrol by drones, something air quality experts say exempts industries from installing pollution controls."

Rebecca Beitsch reports for The Hill December 3, 2019.

SEE ALSO:

"EPA Redefines 'Ambient Air' To Ease Permit Requirements" (Greenwire)

"EPA Unveils Changes To Key Air Pollution Controls Permitting Program, Citing Business Certainty" (Washington Examiner)

Source: The Hill, 12/05/2019