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U.S. EPA proposing to approve California’s extreme 1-hour ozone plan in the San Joaquin Valley

Release Date: 07/01/2009
Contact Information: Margot Perez-Sullivan (415) 947- 4149, Perezsullivan.margot@epa.gov, or Mary Simms, (415) 947-4270

Action part of an ongoing effort to improve air quality in the area

SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to approve a large portion of California’s plan to attain the federal 1-hour ozone health standard in the San Joaquin Valley while simultaneously proposing to disapprove the plan’s contingency provisions.

This is the second time the EPA has proposed action on the state’s plan for meeting the 1-hour ozone standard in the valley.

The Clean Air Act requires air quality plans to include contingency measures that provide for continuing emission reductions if an area fails to attain by its required deadline. The EPA is proposing to disapprove the contingency provisions in the San Joaquin Valley plan because the plan does not show sufficient emission reductions for contingency purposes.

“These proposals are based on an extensive review of a comprehensive plan and numerous control measure rules,” said Deborah Jordan, director of the Air Division for the EPA’s Pacific Southwest region. “The plan and the control measures we are proposing to approve today are also a significant step toward achieving the more protective 8-hour ozone standards.”

In addition to the proposed action on the 1-hour ozone plan, the EPA is also proposing action on numerous rules in concert with the plan and encourages public comment on all proposals. Some of the proposed rulemakings include statewide fuel and smog check rules and district rules affecting combustion pollution sources, open burning, and confined animal facilities. Comments will be accepted for 30 days after each proposal is published in the Federal Register.

Areas of the country where air pollution levels persistently exceed the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) may be designated "nonattainment." To view a list of areas designated nonattainment please visit: https://www.epa.gov/air/oaqps/greenbk/.
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