Kentucky Environmental Foundation Hopes to Spur EPA Decisions

The Kentucky Environmental Foundation is hoping to encourage the Environmental Protection Agency to rule on issues related to air quality in Kentucky.The EPA has missed its deadline to approve or reject state implementation program proposals. The proposals outline how various regions in the commonwealth will reduce particulate pollution released by power plants, cars and other sources. KEF director Elizabeth Crowe says by missing deadlines, the EPA has allowed the air to remain polluted, and her organization has filed a notice of intent to sue the EPA over the issue."That is just a way to, in this case, let the EPA know that we're watching and that we want them to go ahead and take this action," she says.  "The result of having the EPA approve or disapprove a state implementation plan could be the difference between real action on air quality that could have a real impact on our health."Members of the Kentucky Division for Air Quality say the EPA is considering a rule change that could put tighter restrictions on emissions and require the delayed proposals to be revised.The KEF isn't the only organization that's frustrated with the time it takes the EPA to make decisions. Kentucky's two U.S. Senators have recently supported legislation aimed at giving the agency a time limit to rule on mining permits.