EPA Defeats Bid for Tighter Coal Mine Air Pollution Rules

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency defeated a challenge from a group seeking to force regulation of air pollution produced by coal mines, a fourth court victory this year for the agency’s discretion to set air-quality standards.

In a unanimous decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington ruled the EPA had broad latitude to determine the timing and priorities of its regulatory agenda. The agency provided a reasonable explanation for declining to regulate coal mines now, the appeals panel said.