Texas cities must now prove they can clean their air, or face federal action

US environmental regulators are rejecting Texas's plans to reduce ozone pollution in Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston. This means the state must submit new, stronger plans or face federal intervention and potential loss of highway funds.

For years, Texas has submitted plans that US environmental regulators found insufficient to meet clean air standards. This rejection means the state can no longer delay addressing air quality in its largest metropolitan areas. It forces Texas to either implement more effective pollution controls or risk federal sanctions, which could include the loss of federal highway money.