Controversial changes to the U.S. Clean Air Act just proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency are still years away from being finalized and may ultimately be decided in federal court.
After months of delays, EPA on June 13 unveiled long-anticipated changes to its New Source Review (NSR) rules that it claims will make it easier for utilities and manufacturers to repair, upgrade and expand powerplants and industrial facilities. EPA contends that the relaxed NSR rules-some of which must still be written-will lead to more work for design and construction firms that do environmental work at powerplants and factories. But some say that, with relaxed rules, there will be fewer modifications.