"It’s not a question of whether national soot standards will be tightened, but by how much — a decision with sizable implications for Americans’ health and industry regulations.
The choice is now up to EPA Administrator Michael Regan.
This afternoon, an agency advisory panel unanimously approved a series of recommendations for Regan to consider in setting new standards that in one key specific go beyond the conclusions of EPA career staff. All seven members of the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee endorsed a cut in the annual exposure limit, while most also backed a reduction in the daily standard.
The vote capped three days of virtual meetings over the past week as the committee hammered out a final version of draft recommendations released last month (Greenwire, Feb. 7). Regan plans to issue a proposal by this summer, with a final rule following by spring of next year."
