Iowa environmental policymakers say a little-known state law prohibits them from enacting stricter air quality requirements than those passed by the federal government.

Several current and former members of the Iowa Environmental Protection Commission, which sets state environmental policy, say the state would have trouble limiting mercury and other toxic chemical emissions without fretting about legal challenges because of the law.

As a result, Iowa cannot easily follow the lead of several neighboring states, including Wisconsin and Illinois, which have passed laws calling for dramatic reductions in mercury and other toxic emissions in the coming years.

“It’s almost like, why even go through the commission?” EPC Commissioner Susan Heathcote said. “This is almost a waste of our time … when we don’t have the authority as a state to do anything but what the (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) requires.”

Read the rest of the article here.