WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration on Wednesday took a significant step towards rolling back a regulation aimed at limiting smokestack emissions that adversely affect downwind areas in neighboring states.
The so-called “Good Neighbor” rule is among numerous regulations that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, Lee Zeldin, has targeted for review or repeal. The Supreme Court ruled in 2024 that the EPA could not enforce the rule, which sought to prevent coal-fired power plants and other industrial facilities from significantly increasing air pollution across state lines.
On Wednesday, the EPA proposed to approve plans by eight states to regulate ozone air pollution independently. If finalized, these states “would no longer need to worry about another ‘Good Neighbor Plan’” requiring federal approval, the agency stated.
The states affected by this proposal are Alabama, Arizona, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, and Tennessee. Under President Joe Biden, the EPA had disapproved or proposed disapproval of ozone plans from these states, asserting that they did not sufficiently control emissions that cross state lines.
Zeldin claimed that during President Trump’s administration, the EPA aims to promote what he termed “cooperative federalism,” allowing states the autonomy to achieve their air pollution objectives.
“Today, we are taking an important step to undo a Biden administration rule that treated our state partners unfairly,” Zeldin asserted in a statement. He emphasized that the EPA plan will facilitate these states in attaining cleaner air for their communities rather than waiting for federal requirements that may take years to implement.
Zeldin criticized what he described as the Biden-era agency’s “heavy-handed, one-size-fits-all federal mandate” intended to combat air pollution caused by smog-forming ozone.
The proposed rule indicates that the EPA believes the eight states have adequate data showing they are not obstructing compliance with ozone standards mandated by the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Additionally, the EPA plans to withdraw error corrections for state plans submitted by Iowa and Kansas.
Environmental groups denounced the EPA’s proposal, arguing it condones poor environmental standards. They raised concerns that pollution from industrial states like Indiana and Ohio could continue adversely affecting air quality in Eastern states like Connecticut and Delaware.
“Once again, Donald Trump and Lee Zeldin are prioritizing aging, dirty, and expensive coal plants over critical federal clean air protections addressing interstate pollution problems,” stated Zachary Fabish, a lawyer for the Sierra Club.
Fabish expressed that exempting states from accountability while they contribute to air quality degradation in neighboring areas is perilous and could lead to public health deterioration and increased energy costs.
The EPA will open the rule for public commentary for a minimum of 30 days after its publication in the Federal Register.
