EPA takes step toward rolling back rule on downwind pollution from smokestacks

Main Idea: The EPA under Administrator Lee Zeldin moved to roll back a Biden-era rule that limited smokestack pollution drifting into neighboring states.

Key Points:

• The rule, called the “good neighbor” plan, was meant to stop power plants and factories from adding to smog pollution across state lines.
• The Supreme Court ruled in 2024 that the EPA could not enforce the rule.
• The EPA is now proposing to approve ozone plans from eight states and says they can set their own way to meet air-quality goals.
• Environmental groups said the change would weaken clean-air protection and let pollution keep harming downwind states.