The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing a significant relaxation of regulations that were put in place to limit smokestack emissions impacting downwind areas in neighboring states. This move follows the Trump administration's intent to rollback multiple environmental protections, collectively aimed at fortifying local autonomy in air quality management.
The so-called Good Neighbor provisions previously limited the amount of air pollution that facilities like coal-fired power plants could emit across state lines. However, a Supreme Court ruling in 2024 restricted EPA's authority to enforce this rule. In recent comments, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin expressed a commitment to what he termed cooperative federalism, allowing states to determine their own methods for achieving air quality standards.
On Wednesday, the EPA announced that eight states, including Alabama, Arizona, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, and Tennessee, would be permitted to regulate ozone pollution to their discretion without federal oversight, which critics argue could lead to a relaxed approach towards pollution control.
Environmentalists have voiced strong opposition to this proposal. They argue that the flexibility granted to those states could decrease air quality standards and worsen pollution in regions that are already struggling with health issues caused by industrial emissions. States like Indiana and Ohio—well known for their industrial activity—often see their pollution drift towards states like Connecticut and Delaware.
“The EPA is essentially rewarding those states that are not doing their part to control pollution,” said Zachary Fabish, an attorney with the Sierra Club. “Such a move will likely harm air quality, making Americans sicker and leading to higher energy costs.”
As noted, public comments on this proposal will be accepted for at least 30 days after its publication in the Federal Register, reflecting an ongoing debate about the balance between state rights and comprehensive federal environmental policy.
