US environmental regulators propose looser pollution limits for a Minnesota taconite plant
What happened
US environmental regulators want to change how much nitrogen oxide a taconite plant in Minnesota can release. This would relax the current pollution limits for U.S. Steel's Keetac facility.
Why it matters
The Clean Air Act requires older industrial facilities to install the best available technology to reduce pollution. This proposal suggests that the current technology at the Keetac plant is not meeting that standard, or that the standard itself is being re-evaluated. It means that a specific industrial facility might be allowed to emit more pollution than previously required.
The signal
Watch for public comments on this proposed rule and whether the US environmental regulators finalize the change as proposed, or if they adjust the limits based on public input.