Environmental groups sued EPA for rejecting Colorado’s air pollution management plan meant to lessen haze and improve visibility at national parks under the Clean Air Act.
EPA denied the state’s Regional Haze Plan earlier this year. The National Parks Conservation Association and Sierra Club’s lawsuit filed Wednesday argues the rejection protects coal plants that contribute to low air quality, according to a news release.
“This can’t be seen any other way; it’s a handout to the coal industry and a disservice to Coloradan communities and our environment,” wrote Sarah Tresedder, Colorado Sierra Club senior climate and energy organizer, in the release.
The regional plan included proposed deadlines for retiring some coal plants and aimed to enact emissions limits on other industrial air polluters to safeguard its four main national parks, among other wilderness areas, said Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser (D) in a separate news release.
