Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt isn’t the only state attorney general to file suit against the EPA. Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge did the same this week, suing the Environmental Protection Agency over its Federal Implementation Plan for regional haze in the state.
“Without a stay of this unlawful plan, Arkansas, its citizens and our economy could suffer irreparable harm,” said Rutledge in a statement. “While I have urged the EPA to withdraw the plan completely, and I remain hopeful that once a new administrator is confirmed it will be, I have a duty to protect Arkansans from the agenda of liberal special interest groups that do not have the best interest of our State in mind.”
She filed a motion with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit to stay the plan.
Last fall, Rutledge initiated action against the EPA after she submitted comments to the agency in the summer of 2015 and the EPA did not withdraw its plan.
“The proposed Federal Implementation Plan has no basis in law or science and is a prime example of overreaching federal regulation in response to ‘sue and settle’ litigation brought by the Sierra Club. As such, the EPA should withdraw the proposed plan and consult with the State in developing an approvable State Implementation Plan.”
The EPA’s plan will require the White Bluff Power Plant at Redfield and Independence Power Plant near Newark, both operated by Entergy, to reduce emissions that cause air pollution.