EPA Tightens Ozone Standard

Citing “extensive scientific evidence on effects that ground-level ozone pollution, or smog, has on public health and welfare” the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has strengthened the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ground-level ozone to 70 parts per billion (ppb) down from 75 ppb!  What does this mean for California?  Good question.  Much of the state has not even written the plan on trying to meet the 75 ppb, because the current requirements are for the 84 ppb standard adopted under the Clinton Administration.  To put it in perspective, the San Joaquin Valley just had their cleanest summer on record for ozone, and still exceeded the 84 ppb standard on 75 days.  In fact, substantial progress has been made in reducing ground-level ozone. Nationally, from 1980 to 2014, average ozone levels have fallen 33 percent, and the San Joaquin Valley has reduced the number of exceedances of the 84 ppb standard by 54% just since 1996!  Depending on the severity of their ozone problem, areas would have until between 2020 and 2037 to meet the standards.  In the San Joaquin Valley it will be 2037, and many doubt that this standard is achievable in the San Joaquin Valley, including EPA who stated the technology does not yet exist for the San Joaquin Valley to get into attainment!  To take it one step further, the San Joaquin Valley has indicated that this new standard could not be met, even if you took every car, truck and tractor off the road!  Nonetheless, EPA has adopted a new standard, and failure to meet the standard will result in penalties on businesses.  What that means is that the current truck rule and the potential tractor rule will not be enough to get into attainment and businesses in the San Joaquin Valley will pay penalties as a result…

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