Appeals court rejects Trump EPA bid to abandon rule restricting deadly soot pollution

A federal appeals court rejected the Trump administration's attempt to abandon a Biden-era EPA rule imposing stricter standards for soot pollution. The ruling upholds a 2024 standard limiting fine particle pollution to 9 micrograms per cubic meter of air, down from 12 micrograms, and criticizes the EPA's arguments as lacking merit. Environmental groups praised the decision as a public health victory, while opponents argued it would increase costs for businesses and families.