Hogan sued for blocking O'Malley power-plant pollution curbs

Two environmental groups filed suit Thursday against Gov. Larry Hogan and his administration for blocking a clean-air regulation developed by his predecessor that would have required coal-burning power plants in Maryland to curb their emissions of smog-forming pollution.

In court documents filed in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court in Annapolis, the Chesapeake chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility and Maryland Sierra Club contend the state Division of Documents acted illegally in withholding publication of the power plant rule finalized under former Gov. Martin O'Malley.

That rule would have required a handfull of power plants to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides 48 percent by 2020. Nitrogen oxides mix with other pollution on hot, sunny days to form ozone, which irritates the lungs and can trigger asthma and other breathing difficulties.

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