The World

Obama withdraws from stricter smog standards

Last Friday, President Obama withdrew a new draft of the Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Obama cited regulatory uncertainty and burden as the reasons for his decision. Joining us is David Biello of Scientific American.

Global Politics

Last Friday, President Obama withdrew a new draft of the Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards. This means smog standards will not be updated but instead will remain at the same level since 2008 –  levels that George W. Bush’s science  advisers  declared inadequate. Current EPA administrator Lisa Jackson declared  this decision “not legally defensible.” Obama cited regulatory uncertainty and burden as the reasons for his decision. Joining us is David Biello, associate editor of environment and energy at Scientific American.