Supreme Court won’t hear challenge to EPA pollution rule

This story was filed on January 22, 2013

The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a major copper company’s plea to review an Environmental Protection Agency air pollution rule that set standards for sulfur dioxide, a pollutant tied to several respiratory ailments.

The justices denied Asarco LLC’s request to review an appellate court decision that upheld EPA’s 2010 regulation, which had drawn challenges from several states, companies and industry groups.

Asarco, which operates a major copper smelter in Arizona, in October asked the high court to review whether EPA illegally set a standard – 75 parts per billion over one hour – that it calls overly stringent.

The company had alleged that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit failed to properly restrain EPA’s discretion in setting the exposure standard for SO2.

Jodi Rave Spotted Bear (Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation)

Founder & Editor in Chief

Jodi Rave Spotted Bear

Location: Twin Buttes, North Dakota

Spoken Languages: English

Topic Expertise: Federal trust relationship with American Indians; Indigenous issues ranging from spirituality and environment to education and land rights

See the journalist page

Talking Circle

At Buffalo's Fire we value constructive dialogue that builds an informed Indian Country. To keep this space healthy, moderators will remove:

  • Personal attacks or harassment
  • Propaganda, spam, or misinformation
  • Rants and off-topic proclamations

Let’s keep the fire burning with respect.