Alaska groups sue over inaction on Fairbanks air pollution

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Three Alaska groups sued the Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday to force a decision on cleaning up chronic air pollution in Fairbanks, the state's second-largest community.

The EPA is four months overdue on deciding whether to accept a state plan to reduce fine particulate, the microscopic soot that's especially harmful to children, the elderly and anyone with lung or heart problems, according to the lawsuit filed in Seattle.

Cars and coal-fired heating systems or power plants also add particulate to the air, according to the groups.

The groups want a court order forcing a decision on a state cleanup plan that they believe is flawed, said Kenta Tsuda, an attorney for Earthjustice, an environmental law firm representing the groups.

EPA spokeswoman Marianne Holsman said by email the agency is reviewing and evaluating the Fairbanks air quality plan submitted by the state.