Contact
Glen Hooks, glen.hooks@sierraclub.org, 501-744-2674
Today, Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit to issue a stay of the US Environmental Protection Agency's final "regional haze" plan for Arkansas. This action threatens the implementation of a clean air protection that was years in the making and risks slowing progress on cleaning up the air in important Arkansas parks and wilderness areas.
On August 31, 2016, the U.S. EPA finalized the regional haze plan for Arkansas. This action was pursuant to an Order from U.S. District Judge Leon Holmes, and resulted from a Sierra Club federal lawsuit against the EPA. The regional haze plan was mandated by federal law that aimed to reduce haze pollution in our nation's parks and wilderness areas. The final Arkansas regional haze plan was approved after the issuing of a draft plan, a day-long public hearing, and the consideration of hundreds of public comments.
Today's action by Attorney General Rutledge seeks to stay the implementation of the final Arkansas regional haze protection plan, pending the Eighth Circuit's review of the plan.
In response, the Arkansas Sierra Club issued the following statement from its Director, Glen Hooks:
"Attorney General Rutledge never misses an opportunity to fight for dirtier air. Her attempt to derail the Arkansas Regional Haze plan is just her latest bold stance in favor of polluters and against Arkansas families.
"Hundreds of Arkansans voiced their support for clean air protections when the Regional Haze plan was proposed. The plan will lead to better visibility in our parks and wilderness areas and, as a bonus, healthier air for Arkansans. Why our Attorney General chooses to side with polluters and against Arkansans is a continuing mystery.
"The Sierra Club will continue to stand up for clean air protections and all the benefits they bring to Arkansans. Attorney General Rutledge should be a leader on clean air for the Natural State--not using the power of office to continue the fouling of our parks and air."
The case in question is State of Arkansas, et al. v. United States Environmental Protection Agency, No. 16-4270 (8th Cir.)
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