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EPA's 1997 Decision on Ozone and Particulate Matter Standards

Implementation of the 1997 Standards

Information provided for informational purposes onlyNote: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.

Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.


    FACT SHEET

    June 25, 1997

    Implementation of the Standards

    Although the law requires EPA to set air quality standards that, above all, protect the public health, the agency has developed a plan for affordably meeting the new standards through common sense measures. Along with these final standards for ozone and particulate matter, EPA will issue an implementation package designed to give states, local governments and business the new flexibility they'll need to meet protective public health standards in a reasonable, cost-effective way.
    • The Ozone Implementation Package will use a regional, state-sponsored plan to address the long-distance transport of ozone. As that plan's reductions take effect, the vast majority of areas that do not currently meet the new ozone standard will be able to do so without any additional new local pollution controls or measures. In order to help these areas avoid burdensome measures associated with non-compliance, EPA will create a new "transitional" classification. These areas would not have to comply fully with the new ozone standard by achieving local pollution controls until at least 2004, with no compliance determination required until at least 2007.

       

    • The Particulate Matter Implementation Package will give businesses ample time to find the most cost-effective pollution controls. In addition, EPA will complete another full scientific review of the health effects of fine particulates before any "non-attainment" designations are made or local controls mandated. EPA will allow five years to gather and analyze necessary data, and then use its discretion under the Clean Air Act to allow another three years for areas that are not in compliance to submit air quality plans on how they will meet the new standard. Following another year and a half for review of the plans, it will be several more years before many areas will actually have to comply with the new standard.

       

    Return to NAAQS Decision Information Page

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