New Jersey air permits for small polluters will now follow state rules

The US environmental regulators are approving New Jersey's plan to update its air quality rules. This means permits for smaller industrial facilities will now be handled under state regulations, not federal ones.

New Jersey has been trying to get its state-level air permitting rules officially recognized by the US environmental regulators for years. This approval means the state can now enforce its own standards for minor pollution sources, which often include smaller factories or facilities that might not have a full operating permit. It simplifies the process for businesses and gives the state more direct control over local air quality.