Natural Resources Defense Council v. Environmental Protection Agency
403 U.S. App. D.C. 378
| D.C. Cir. | 2013Background
- NRDC and Sierra Club petition for review of EPA's Final PM2.5 Implementation Rule and PM NSR Implementation Rule under the Clean Air Act.
- EPA promulgated these rules applying Subpart 1 (general SIP implementation) rather than Subpart 4 (PM-specific) of Part D, Title I.
- Subpart 4 imposes more stringent, nondiscretionary requirements for PM nonattainment areas; Subpart 1 is generally more permissive.
- The 1997 Final PM NAAQS Rule revised PM to PM2.5; EPA previously indicated in the preamble that Subpart 1 would implement the PM2.5 standard but did not treat that as final agency action.
- Petitions argued EPA’s 1997 preamble statements did not constitute final agency action; the court rejected that and proceeded to Chevron analysis seeking to determine proper Subpart applicability.
- Court ultimately remands to EPA to re-promulgate the rules under Subpart 4 consistent with the opinion.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| timeliness of challenge | NRDC/Sierra Club timely because no final action in 1997. | EPA finalizes in 1997; challenge untimely. | Petitions timely; proceed to merits. |
| Subpart 1 vs Subpart 4 applicability | Subpart 4 governs PM2.5; Subpart 1 is inadequate. | Subpart 1 applies; Subpart 4 not required. | Petition granted; Subpart 4 applies; remand for re-promulgation under Subpart 4. |
| Chevron step 1 and statutory text | Plain meaning supports Subpart 4 application to PM2.5. | Plain meaning favors Subpart 1 application; Subpart 4 is not required. | Statutory text is plain; Subpart 4 applies; remand ordered. |
| legislative history and Whitman framework | Whitman shows Subpart 4 should govern PM2.5 implementation. | Whitman limited to ozone context; not binding here. | Whitman supports petitioners' view; remand to implement under Subpart 4. |
Key Cases Cited
- Whitman v. American Trucking Associations, 531 U.S. 457 (U.S. 2001) (final agency action and Chevron analysis framework; Subpart 1 vs Subpart 2 context)
- Bennett v. Spear, 520 U.S. 154 (U.S. 1997) (final agency action concept and administrative decisionmaking)
- Natural Resources Defense Council v. EPA, 489 F.3d 1250 (D.C. Cir. 2007) (Chevron step analysis and agency deference principles)
- Am. Trucking Ass’ns v. EPA, 283 F.3d 355 (D.C. Cir. 2002) (upheld PM standards context and Whitman remand considerations)
- Grand Canyon Air Tour Coalition v. FAA, 154 F.3d 455 (D.C. Cir. 1998) (interpretation of statutory text and agency action consistency)