Two Native American tribes now face tougher air pollution rules

US environmental regulators found that two tribal areas in Connecticut did not meet 2015 ozone air quality standards. These areas are now reclassified as "Serious" nonattainment zones, which means they must meet stricter pollution reduction requirements.

This decision forces the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and the Mohegan Indian Tribe to implement more aggressive plans to reduce ozone pollution. It means they will likely face higher costs for compliance, potentially affecting economic development or requiring changes to local industry and transportation. This reclassification is part of a broader, decades-long effort by US environmental regulators to enforce air quality standards across all jurisdictions, including tribal lands.