Two environmental groups have given required 60-day notice that they intend to sue the federal government over chronic polluted air in Fairbanks.
An attorney for environmental law firm Earthjustice gave formal notice Wednesday to the Environmental Protection Agency that the groups will sue over the EPA's failure approve or reject a state plan to address air pollution in Fairbanks.
Erik Grafe said in an announcement that the deadline for consideration of the cleanup plan was Feb. 18.
An EPA spokeswoman did not reply immediately to an email request for comment.
Fairbanks in winter months has regularly exceeded federal standards for fine particulates emitted by burning wood.
Fine particulate has been linked to heart attacks, decreased lung function and premature death in people with heart or lung diseases.