April 27, 2006

DC's AG Sues the EPA for Violating the Clean Air Act

Washington, DC - Attorney General Robert J. Spagnoletti announced today that the District of Columbia has joined Attorneys General from 10 states in suing the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for failing to adopt strong emission standards to reduce air pollution from new power plants across the nation. The City of New York also joined in the legal action.

The Clean Air Act requires that the EPA review and revise emission standards for new pollution sources every eight years to ensure that they protect public health and the environment. On February 27, 2006, EPA issued revised regulations in accordance with a court order. However, the revised standards completely fail to regulate power plant emissions of carbon dioxide, the major contributor to global warming. In addition, the revised standards for other air pollutants harmful to public health are unacceptably lax.

"Air pollution is a local, national and global concern, and it is critical for EPA to impose stringent emission standards to help address the problem," said General Spagnoletti. Unfortunately, the revised standards we are challenging today fail to appropriately regulate power plant emissions, which are one of the most significant sources of greenhouse gases and elevated ozone levels. The District's air quality is negatively affected by transport pollution from power plants in other states, and without clear federal action, the citizens of the District are at risk. Therefore, the District of Columbia stands firmly behind this lawsuit seeking to compel EPA to adopt standards that will help clean the air we all breathe."

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