Attorney General Leslie Rutledge today said she’d join 13 other states in a lawsuit fighting an EPA rule aiming to lower permissible ozone in the air from 75 to 70 parts per billion.

Rutledge contends the current level for ozone (smog) is healthy enough and making the air cleaner would harm the economy. She concedes the EPA may review the standards, but the law does not require that the standard be lowered.

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Glen Hooks, the Sierra Club’s director in Arknasas countered:

“Ozone—commonly known as smog—is a leading cause of health problems for Americans, especially children and the elderly. Strengthening clean air protections and lessening the amount of smog in our air is absolutely the right thing to do for our health and our environment. Clean air and healthy Arkansans are things everyone should support.

“Unfortunately, Attorney General Rutledge is once again choosing to side with polluters. By fighting against smog protections, Rutledge is openly favoring corporate profits and ‘economic growth’ over the health of children and the elderly. It is hard for me to comprehend how any Arkansas elected official can publicly oppose making The Natural State’s air cleaner. Luckily, Attorney General Rutledge’s callous views are in the extreme minority and will undoubtedly be dismissed by the courts again.”

Today’s action is the latest in a series of moves by Rutledge in which she inserts the State of Arkansas into efforts opposing clean air or clean water protections. Since taking office in January, Rutledge has publicly opposed the Clean Power Plan (3 times) the Waters of the United States Rule, the Regional Haze plan for Arkansas, and today’s action against smog protections. 

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