Clean Air Panel Takes ‘Unprecedented’ Pause for Science Review

An independent panel of EPA advisers central to clean air rulemaking is freezing scheduled policy reviews to take a deep dive into ozone pollution science, signaling concerns that the status quo ozone standards aren’t as protective as some research suggests.

The Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, or CASAC, in May took a rare step back from reviewing policy plans for ozone standards laid out by the Environmental Protection Agency, and told Administrator Michael Regan on June 15 they’ll be scrutinizing ozone research on public health impacts with a closer eye before making any recommendations to the agency regarding new levels. ...