Jessica King, jessica.king@sierraclub.org
Washington, D.C. – On Friday, Sierra Club took a significant step in its ongoing effort to compel EPA to enforce federal air quality standards set nearly a decade ago under the Obama administration by filing a lawsuit that requires EPA to recognize the failure of many states to submit compliance plans for reducing smog levels in their communities.
This step is key to ensuring communities across the country breathe clean air because it initiates the process to establish a deadline for EPA to issue regulations regulating NOx, a precursor of smog, in states that have not done so.
Under the Clean Air Act, states are mandated to submit plans for compliance with air pollution standards, including the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone, or smog. Multiple states failing to meet air quality standards have failed to submit their regulatory plans to implement what is known as Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT).
RACT is vital to address existing sources of NOx pollution in areas that are not meeting national air quality standards. The lawsuit would require EPA to determine these states failed to finalize and submit their plans to implement RACT to address NOx pollution.
In response, Sierra Club Associate Attorney Sari Amiel released the following statement:
"More than 100 million people reside in counties receiving failing grades for smog pollution, with Black, Hispanic, and Asian Americans disproportionately exposed to all forms of air pollution. States' refusal to comply with common-sense air pollution standards is already harmful, but EPA's failure to hold them accountable adds insult to injury. EPA must fulfill its obligations under the Clean Air Act and take swift action to protect communities from the harmful effects of smog pollution."
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.