North Carolina officials lose power to waive air pollution limits

North Carolina is removing rules that let state officials waive air pollution limits for industrial facilities. This means those facilities will now have to meet federal air quality standards without special permission.

For years, some industrial facilities in North Carolina could get a pass from a state official if they exceeded air pollution limits. This change means those facilities must now meet the same federal standards as everyone else. It removes a loophole that allowed some companies to pollute more than others.