Capito Applauds Epa Announcement to Finalize National Ambient Air Quality Standards

Press Release

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) announcement of their final rule to retain the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM), including fine particles (PM2.5) and coarse particles (PM10).

"For years, West Virginia has made great strides in improving our air quality by abiding by EPA rules and regulations in accordance with the NAAQS, and today the entire state is in attainment under all of the relevant criteria pollutant standards," said Senator Capito. "Finalizing and maintaining the proposed particulate matter standard is a critical step in cementing EPA's progress under President Trump and providing the certainty our communities and businesses need for economic development. I applaud Administrator Wheeler for recognizing the importance of this announcement to our state and the work he and the EPA have done to improve our nation's air quality, protect human health, and preserve the environment in West Virginia."

Today's announcement demonstrates that EPA is following the principles established in the earliest days of the Trump administration to streamline the NAAQS review process and to fulfill the statutory responsibility to complete the NAAQS review within a five-year timeframe.

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