Hundreds of Counties Likely to Violate New Smog Rules

"The tighter standards will cost tens of billions of dollars to implement, but will ultimately save billions in avoided emergency room visits, premature deaths, and missed work and school days, the EPA said.

The proposed range was what scientists had recommended during the Bush administration. However, former President George W. Bush personally intervened and set the standard above what was advised after protests from electric utilities and other industries. The Bush standard was still stricter than the previous smog standard set in 1997."

The new smog rules are expected to affect counties in states traditionally not covered by smog-centered egulations, such as Iowa, Idaho and the Dakotas.