New York, Connecticut sue EPA over out-of-state pollution

The attorney generals for New York and Connecticut are suing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over out-of-state air pollution that affects their constituents.

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced Wednesday that he is partnering with Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen on a lawsuit aimed at forcing the EPA to implement tougher regulatory standards on interstate smog pollution.

The @EPA’s failure to curb smog pollution blowing in from other states has put millions of NYers at risk.

Today, I’m partnering with CT’s @AGJepsen to sue. https://t.co/IepWt3ZbJf pic.twitter.com/6AV3B5tbt2

— Eric Schneiderman (@AGSchneiderman) January 17, 2018

“Millions of New Yorkers breathe unhealthy air due to smog pollution, much of which blows into New York from upwind states,” Schneiderman said in a statement. “Yet the Trump EPA continues to ignore its responsibilities under the Clean Air Act to reduce interstate smog pollution. Since the Trump EPA refuses to follow the law, we’re suing to protect the health of New Yorkers.” 

Schneiderman, a vocal critic of President Trump who has filed several other lawsuits against the administration, and Jepsen want the EPA to implement the “Good Neighbor” clause of the Clean Air Act. 

The clause would force the federal government to put tougher air quality standards in place to protect “downwind” states when “upwind” states fail to mitigate pollution spillover. 

Schneiderman previously gave an official notice to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt in October that he would bring litigation against the agency if it did not fulfill its obligations under the act.