Six downwind northeastern states in the Ozone Transport Region (OTR) have filed suit in federal court asking that the EPA be ordered to take action on a December 2013 request that nine upwind states be added to the OTR. The designation would require that the added states develop plans to reduce the transport of pollutants that impair the ability of downwind states to come into attainment with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone.
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“Our coalition has waited almost three years for EPA to decide on whether it will use its legal authority to require upwind states to stem their contribution to smog pollution,” said Eric Schneiderman, attorney general of New York State. “As we have waited, the health of millions of New Yorkers has continued to be threatened. Today, we are suing to force long-overdue action by EPA on this important petition.”