Nucor Sues EPA Over Proposed Regional Haze Federal Implementation Plan

Nucor Steel - Arkansas and Nucor Yamato Steel Company (collectively "Nucor") filed a lawuit yesterday in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas seeking declaratory judgment and injunctive relief from the United States Environmental Protection Agency's proposed Regional Haze Rule Federal Implementation Plan for the State of Arkansas. In 1999, the EPA promulgated the Regional Haze Rule, which calls for state and federal agencies to work together to improve visibility in 156 national parks and wilderness areas, including the Upper Buffalo and Caney Creek wilderness areas in Arkansas. 

Nucor's Complaint alleges that the EPA's actions exceed its delegated authority, contravene specific statutory prohibitions, and will cause overly burdensome expense to Nucor.  This comes on the heels of Nucor's failed attempt to intervene in an action instituted by the Sierra Club against the EPA concerning the same rule.