Allegheny County no longer has dirty air, according to US environmental regulators

US environmental regulators are proposing to declare Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, has met federal air quality standards for sulfur dioxide. This means the county will no longer be considered a "nonattainment area" and will have fewer federal restrictions on industrial emissions.

When an area is designated as "nonattainment," it faces strict federal oversight and requirements to reduce pollution. Removing this designation means local industries will have more flexibility. It also shifts the focus from active cleanup to maintaining current air quality levels.