HOUSTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed approving parts of Texas' clean air plan, setting aside some of the issues that have long been points of contention.

The EPA's announcement Thursday comes after years of bitter bickering between the federal agency and the state over environmental regulation, including the federal agency's move almost two years ago to overturn a long-term permitting program it said did not meet federal clean air rules.

The EPA's proposal would approve a plan by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality that would give operating flexibility to major sources of air pollution, such as refineries.

The plan would require continuous monitoring of separate operating units under a general cap of emissions. The EPA says Texas' plan meets federal clean air laws.