Even as EPA battles to salvage its latest “good neighbor” smog control framework, the agency’s long-festering standoff with Missouri regulators is escalating.
EPA is moving for the second time to reject the state’s approach to limiting industrial emissions that foster downwind air quality compliance problems beyond its borders, according to a proposal published Tuesday.
Under that proposed rule, EPA has tentatively found the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ 2022 plan “fails to provide an adequate technical and legal basis” for showing compliance with the state’s good neighbor obligation. Moreover, the plan “unreasonably concludes” that improvements in existing power plant pollution controls are enough to address downwind compliance issues in states such as Wisconsin, the EPA proposal continues.
It sets a Sept. 20 deadline for written feedback. A virtual public hearing will be held Aug. 21.
