Edward Smith, edward.smith@sierraclub.org
Oklahoma City, OK - Late yesterday, a coalition of environmental organizations filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) because it has failed to enforce the Regional Haze Rule as required by the Clean Air Act. Thirty-four states have yet to submit plans to reduce air pollution in our country’s most iconic national parks and wilderness areas, and return natural visibility to these wild places. The EPA amended the Regional Haze Rule in 2017, giving states until July 31, 2021 to complete their plans, which means states and owners of major polluting facilities have had ample time to prepare for compliance.
The organizations’ lawsuit urges the EPA to fulfill its obligation under the Clean Air Act to step up where states have failed, lock in retirement dates for coal plants, and require big polluters to reduce emissions to clear up haze and improve public health. Haze impacts 90 percent of our country’s national parks, and the same pollutants responsible for the widespread air pollution also harm public health, particularly in communities targeted by generations of systemic racism. Air pollution from burning fossil fuels and other sources worsens community health, drives up healthcare costs, and makes it harder for kids to learn and play and adults to work.
Oklahoma has at least thirty-two facilities that are sources for regional haze at our most iconic national parks and wilderness areas, according to the National Parks Conservation Association.
The thirty-four states that have yet to submit a Regional Haze state implementation plan (SIP) include: AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, DE, GA, HI, ID, IL, IA, KY, LA, ME, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, ND, OK, OR, PA, RI, SD, UT, VT, VA, WV, WY. Sixteen states and Washington D.C. have submitted SIPs to EPA to-date.
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court and can be found here. The Center for Biological Diversity, Environmental Defense Fund, National Parks Conservation Association, and Sierra Club filed the lawsuit and are represented by Earthjustice.
Statement from Cheyenne Skye Branscum, Chapter Chair of the Oklahoma Sierra Club:
“Oklahoma failed to submit a pollution reduction plan to the EPA, even with a three-year extension. It appears action will not happen without the intervention of the EPA. Our social systems were built to benefit white people, and racial discrimination has made it possible for politicians and polluters to intentionally ignore or undervalue certain groups—including Tribal, Black, and Hispanic communities—time and time again. In this case, justice for people in Oklahoma, all people, starts with EPA Administrator Regan enforcing federal laws to protect people from the disproportionate impact of soot and smog that is generated by burning fossil fuels like coal, gas, and oil.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.