By AP/KWMU
Chicago, IL – St. Louis's air just got dirtier at least on paper. A judge yesterday ruled the EPA must re-classify the air as failing to meet federal standards for ozone.
The change could mean stricter pollution controls and the loss of federal highway money.
Environmental groups praise the ruling; they sued in 1998 after the EPA extended St. Louis's deadline to meet air quality guidelines. An EPA spokesman says the agency isn't sure how it will respond.