A Lower 48 environmental group is trying to force the Environmental Protection Agency to clamp down on fine particulate pollution in nine states, including Alaska. The Center for Biological Diversity has filed formal notice of intent to sue the E.P.A. for failing to enforce the Clean Air Act.
Group toxics and endangered species campaign director Jonathan Evans said the E.P.A. has failed to press states to develop implementation plans for reducing smoke emissions.
In Alaska, the state Department of Environmental Conservation missed a December 2012 deadline for submission of a plan to reduce smoke from wood and coal burning in the Fairbanks North Pole area.
The D.E.C. is working with the E.P.A. and Fairbanks North Star Borough to develop control measures, now scheduled to go out for public review this fall. Evans said his group welcomes that.
Dan Bross is a reporter at KUAC in Fairbanks.
