NAPA Urges Supreme Court to Review Stricter Air Quality Standard

NAPA and 13 other associations are urging the Supreme Court to review a lower court decision that upheld stricter air quality standards for fine dust (PM2.5).

In 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency finalized a rule lowering the PM2.5 standard by 25 percent. A coalition of about half of U.S. states challenged the rule, and the Trump administration sought to reverse it. In June, however, a federal appeals court ruled that the stricter standard would remain in place.

The Job Creators Coalition’s amicus brief supports the states’ petition, argues that the lower court ruled incorrectly, and urges the Supreme Court to hear the case.

“[The associations] write separately because this case presents important questions of federal law with consequences extending far beyond the parties,” the brief reads. “The questions presented are exceptionally important to [the associations] and their members and have substantial nationwide consequences.”

Asphalt mix plants will likely meet the stricter standard, but states must determine whether additional controls on emissions from individual facility sources are needed to meet each state air quality requirement. The stricter standard will also target emissions from fuel combustion sources.

The Trump administration and a group of Republican lawmakers are also urging the Supreme Court to hear the case.