New Jersey Withdraws from EPA Air Quality Lawsuit

New Jersey has withdrawn from a 2008 lawsuit brought against the Environmental Protection Agency over delays in implementing air quality standards.

The suit was intended to force the EPA to set new standards for ozone, which contributes to smog. The state withdrew from the lawsuit on Friday because that's already happening, a Department of Environmental Protection said Monday.

In September, Obama overruled scientific advisers and scrapped a clean-air regulation intended to reduce smog. A new standard is anticipated by July of 2014.

The suit, Mississippi v. EPA, was originally brought by several states and industry groups that said the standard shouldn't be strengthened.  New Jersey joined other states in arguing the standard should be set at a stricter level, as recommended by scientific advisors.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)