Texas air pollution rules for Houston get a federal sign-off

The US environmental regulators are approving Texas's plan to control nitrogen oxide emissions in the Houston area. This means the state's current rules meet federal requirements for reducing ozone-forming pollution.

For years, the Houston area has struggled with air quality, often failing to meet federal ozone standards. This approval means Texas does not have to implement stricter controls on industrial polluters in the region. It essentially locks in the current level of effort for reducing a key pollutant.