It’s a Christmas miracle! There’s some good news out there to brighten my day! A huge loophole in air pollution regulation has been closed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia!
Reports the Washington Post:
In a 2 to 1 decision yesterday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit struck down an exemption that for nearly 15 years has allowed refineries, chemical plants and other industrial facilities to exceed federal air pollution limits during certain periods of operation…
The ruling affects sources of air pollution across the country: Texas alone has 250 industrial sites, including oil refineries, chemical plants and petrochemical plants, that are affected.
Before the ruling, plants were allowed to exceed emissions standards if they were starting up, shutting down, or “malfunctioning”. So basically, at almost any point in an industrial operation’s existence, they could find an excuse to violate federal air quality standards.
But NOT ANYMORE. At least, not if the court’s ruling is enforced.
Crud. Foiled again! Santa, I’d like to update my Christmas list please! Save that pony for next year.
