EPA Must Face Suit Over Objection to Arkansas Pollution Permits

The Environmental Protection Agency lost its bid to avoid a lawsuit over its alleged delay in objecting to water pollution permits issued by the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment, a federal judge in the state ruled.

The state sufficiently alleged that the EPA waived its right to oppose the permits, according to the US District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas. The state also alleged it will be harmed if its permits are described as proposed instead of final, which is what the agency seeks, the court said July 1.

The EPA argued the case belongs before the ...