EPA Must Address New Jersey Clean Air Plan, Consent Decree Says

The US Environmental Protection Agency has agreed to act on New Jersey’s revisions to its state plans to meet air quality standards, according to a consent decree between the agency and environmental groups.

Our Children’s Earth Foundation sued the agency, alleging that it failed to either approve or disapprove the state’s submissions by the deadline. The delay violates the Clean Air Act, which requires the EPA to fully or partially approve or disapprove of revisions to State Implementation Plans within 18 months of receiving them, the group said.

In the consent decree, approved Tuesday by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly of the ...