Nine states challenge federal clean air rules

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Vermont is among nine New England and mid-Atlantic states challenging the federal government’s clean air rules. The states say the Bush administration’s proposed changes to the rules will lead to more pollution in their region.

The administration is issuing the revised regulations Tuesday. The new program affects utilities, refineries and manufacturers and determines whether expensive new anti-pollution equipment must be installed when they’re modernized.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says the revisions provide greater flexibility that should make it easier to clean up the environment. But Vermont, New York and the other states say it gives industry greater leeway to continue polluting.

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