In the past we've blogged about why state Attorney's General rock and how the civil justice system should be considered for planeteer status. Continuing on this theme, just yesterday State AGs from 11 states filed suit against the Environmental Protection Agency to overturn weak smog regulations. Several health and environmental groups lead by Earth Justice filed a similar suit arguing that the EPA ignored recommendations from science experts for stricter smog rules. From an AP story:
The EPA in March issued tougher health standards for ozone, commonly known as smog, requiring that airborne concentrations be lowered from a maximum 84 parts per billion to 75 parts per billion.
But an EPA science advisory board — and most health experts — had recommended a limit of 60 to 70 parts per billion to adequately protect the elderly, people with respiratory problems and children.
The EPA also did not go as far as the science panel had recommended in setting a separate standard to protect the environment, especially plants, forests and wildlife, from smog. The EPA lowered the standard equal to the primary standard safeguarding public health, but it rejected a more beneficial "seasonal standard" urged by conservationists.
Instead of listening to qualified professionals Bush and the EPA opted for weaker regulation. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the EPA supposed to "protect" the environment. In a perfect world one would hope we wouldn't need protecting from government snafus. Until we get to this point, I am glad to have state AGs and the civil justice system working to protect our environmental health.
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