Shelby County, Tennessee, must now count all pollution from industrial startups and shutdowns

US environmental regulators have approved new rules for Shelby County, Tennessee, that close a loophole for industrial pollution. Factories there must now account for all emissions, even those released during equipment startups, shutdowns, and malfunctions.

For years, many industrial facilities could ignore pollution released during specific operational phases, like when a plant starts up or shuts down. This meant the public and regulators did not have a full picture of the actual air quality impact. This change forces Shelby County to measure and regulate these emissions, which could lead to cleaner air for residents.