Environmental groups slam Pa. smog proposal as lax

Environmental groups say Pennsylvania’s federally mandated plan to reduce smog would allow coal-fired power plants to emit more pollution than they do now.

The state has been working on a proposal to curb ground-level ozone in 17 counties where the federal government says smog levels remain too high and pose a health risk to the young, the elderly, people with asthma and others. The proposed regulations will be published Saturday.