Court Sides with Sierra Club and Advocates to Strike Down EPA Clean Air Designation - CleanTechnica

A federal appeals court has ruled in favor of the Sierra Club and environmental advocates by striking down the EPA’s decision to redesignate the Detroit area from “nonattainment” to “attainment” under the Clean Air Act for ground-level ozone pollution. This legal victory, stemming from a 2023 lawsuit, prevents Michigan from avoiding stricter pollution controls and permitting requirements that are crucial for reducing ozone precursor emissions. The ruling comes amid rising asthma rates in Detroit, particularly affecting Black communities, and addresses longstanding air quality issues in the region. The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit found that the EPA acted unlawfully in allowing the redesignation, thereby reinstating stricter air quality standards and permitting rules for new pollution sources in the Detroit area. While the court upheld some EPA findings that let Michigan avoid other nonattainment requirements, the decision effectively closes a loophole that had made it easier for states to circumvent stricter pollution controls. Advocates emphasize that this ruling is a significant step toward improving