Blumenthal Statement On SCOTUS Decision To Uphold EPA Cross-State Air Pollution Rule

(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Cross-State Air Pollution Rule, whichrequires states to significantly improve air quality by reducing power plant emissions that contribute to ozone and/or fine particle pollution in other states:

“Connecticut residents can breathe easier now that the Supreme Court has found that EPA has acted appropriately in seeking to reduce pollution from one state that causes health and environmental damage in other states. Coal burning power plants in the Midwest and South spew tons of pollutants that Connecticut residents breathe. We do our part to reduce air pollution but other states have not, instead sending their dirty air into Connecticut. I have supported and urged federal action on cross-state pollution for many years and look forward to cleaner air for our residents.”

As Attorney General, Blumenthal sought to force a recalcitrant EPA to begin addressing cross-state pollution.  In 2003, he fought a Bush Administration attempt to weaken the air pollution standards for new or revamped power plants and manufacturing facilities that send pollution into our air.