"Air Pollution: Pruitt Backs Off Enforcement Of Power Plant Program"

"U.S. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt is instructing agency officials to effectively drop enforcement of one key facet of the New Source Review program, in what could be a prelude to broad changes in the handling of air permits for both new plants and expansions of existing facilities.

In a memo released last night, Pruitt told EPA regional administrators the agency is launching a review of NSR requirements. It will assess opportunities "to make improvements" by clarifying or revising the relevant regulations, provide technical support and oversight for states that administer the program, and evaluate enforcement efforts.

On that last score, Pruitt said EPA will no longer challenge companies' pre-construction forecasts of expected air pollution increases stemming from a particular project."

Sean Reilly reports for Greenwire December 8, 2017.