EPA Revokes Defense of Stricter Fine Particle Pollution Rule

The EPA is asking a federal court to vacate a Biden-era rule that tightens limits on ambient particulate matter air pollution, abandoning its defense in a legal challenge meant to quash the standards.

The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit should vacate the rule, since it was finalized based on an incomplete review of “the underlying air quality criteria and related standards required” by the Clean Air Act, according to the motion to vacate filed Monday.

Particulate matter is made up of tiny toxic particles that embed in the lungs when emitted from smokestacks, tailpipes, and ...