US environmental regulators take over incinerator rules in states that didn't bother

US environmental regulators are stepping in to enforce air pollution rules for older industrial incinerators in states that have not created their own plans. This means these incinerators will now have to meet federal emission standards for pollutants like mercury and lead, even if their state hasn't acted.

For years, some states have simply not adopted federal guidelines for industrial incinerator emissions, allowing older facilities to operate without updated pollution controls. This rule means that inaction is no longer an option. It forces a baseline level of environmental protection across the country, regardless of state-level political will.