SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newswire) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced April 10 that he has joined with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over allegations the agency illegally repealed the “Once In, Always In” policy that mandates companies contributing to hazardous air pollutants must take action to reduce their emissions.
According to Becerra, the “Once In, Always In” policy aims to reduce emissions across the country by requiring polluters to install and operate equipment designed to reduce emissions of hazardous pollutants. By taking away the policy, Becerra says, the EPA is giving hazardous air pollutants a way to game the system when it comes to air regulations and pollution-saving measures.
“Instead of prioritizing the health of hardworking Americans, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt wants to let major polluters off the hook. That is unconscionable, and it is illegal,” Becerra said in a statement. “If the ‘Once In, Always In’ policy is rescinded, children in California and around the country – particularly those who must live near the polluting plant or factory – may grow up in an environment with tons of additional hazardous pollutants in the air they breathe. California will not allow that to happen. The EPA must be held accountable.”
