Utah cities get a pass on clean air rules if pollution comes from outside the US

US environmental regulators are proposing to reverse a decision that would have forced cities in Utah to meet stricter air quality standards. This means those cities will not have to implement new, expensive pollution controls.

For years, cities have had to clean up their air regardless of where the pollution came from. This proposal creates a new loophole: if a city can prove its air quality problems are due to international pollution, it might avoid stricter enforcement. This could set a precedent for other areas struggling to meet clean air targets.