"In Big EPA Win, Court Denies Challenges To Ozone Designations"

"A federal appeals court [Tuesday] rejected a series of challenges from states, environmental groups and energy companies to U.S. EPA's determinations of which parts of the country meet its standard for ozone, a main component of smog.

In May 2012, EPA finalized its attainment and nonattainment designations for its 2008 ozone air standard of 75 parts per billion. If the agency finds a county or area does not meet the standard, that area must undertake significant and often expensive steps to reduce ozone emissions.

Mississippi, Texas, Indiana, Delaware and Connecticut all challenged EPA's nonattainment findings for some of their counties. Environmental groups argued that 15 other counties that were found in attainment shouldn't have been. And, in another claim, the groups argued that Utah's Uinta Basin -- home to oil and gas development and some of the country's worst ozone pollution -- should not have been dubbed "unclassifiable.""

Jeremy P. Jacobs reports for Greenwire June 2, 2015.

SEE ALSO:

"Appeals Court Sides With EPA on Limits for Ozone" (AP)