Do electoral politics and industry lobbying sometimes trump science when it comes to protecting people's health? In an unusual admission, a federal appeals court rules "Yes." And EPA agrees.

"An appeals court is siding with environmental groups that had challenged Environmental Protection Agency regulations on soot as too weak.

The three-judge panel ruled Friday that the EPA regulated soot of a certain size under weaker cleanup requirements than it should have.

The environmental groups, including the Natural Resources Defense Council, had challenged two rules dating back to the George W. Bush administration. The court sent the rules back to the EPA with instructions to strengthen them."

Frederic J. Frommer reports for the Associated Press January 15, 2013. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"EPA Finally Comes Clean on Dirty Soot Politics" (NRDC Switchboard) [3]

"EPA Finalizes Stricter Soot Pollution Limits" (Reuters) [4]

"Court Orders EPA To Try Again on Soot Standards Implementation" (Greenwire) [5]