Log in

MAG

Maricopa County, portion of Pinal face tougher ozone standard after EPA downgrade

Posted 10/16/22

The Environmental Protection Agency has reclassified Maricopa County as a “moderate” ozone area, a downgrade from its “marginal” ranking.

And according to the Maricopa …

You must be a member to read this story.

Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.


Already have an account? Log in to continue.

Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here

Otherwise, follow the link below to join.

To Our Valued Readers –

Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.

For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.

Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.

Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.

Sincerely,
Charlene Bisson, Publisher, Independent Newsmedia

Please log in to continue

Log in
I am anchor
MAG

Maricopa County, portion of Pinal face tougher ozone standard after EPA downgrade

Posted

The Environmental Protection Agency has reclassified Maricopa County as a “moderate” ozone area, a downgrade from its “marginal” ranking.

And according to the Maricopa Association of Governments, “it could pose additional challenges for the region in meeting the most recent, more stringent ozone standard.”

The EPA finalized its determination last month to move the region up the severity ladder for ozone pollution, according to a MAG release.

“We have made significant strides in reducing ozone pollution over the years, but meeting the tighter standards implemented in 2015 has been challenging,” said Avondale Mayor Kenn Weise, chair of the Maricopa Association of Governments.

“We believe, however, that with the ongoing concerted and innovative efforts by the Valley residents and businesses, we will overcome these challenges in our continuing pursuit to improve air quality.”

In 2015, the EPA tightened the ozone pollution standard from 75 parts per billion to 70 parts per billion. The more stringent standard went into effect in December 2015 and the deadline for the region to attain that standard was August 2021. The region, which includes Maricopa County and portions of Pinal County, missed that deadline, the release stated.

“We can have both strong economic development and lower pollution levels to maintain healthy communities,” said Philip McNeely, Maricopa County Air Quality Department director.

“At Maricopa County, we are focused on regulatory controls that reduce harmful emissions, while also working with the community, schools and industry to develop outreach programs, education campaigns and pollution reduction incentives to protect people’s health and local business growth.”

When a region is found to be in nonattainment of federal air quality standards, it is classified on a rising level of severity that begins with marginal and goes up to moderate, serious, or severe.

Each more stringent nonattainment classification increases regulatory requirements, which affect drivers and businesses.

“Working together, Maricopa County businesses and residents have done a fantastic job of reducing ozone pollution by 12.5 percent since 2000, even as our population and economy have grown significantly,” Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Air Quality Division Director Daniel Czecholinski said.

“But we have more work to do. Each of us can play a role in further reducing air emissions by taking personal actions to improve air quality, which in turn, protects public health and helps us ensure continued economic prosperity.”

The moderate nonattainment area classification requires new actions and measures, including:

  • New control measures to reduce the types of emissions that create ozone.
  • Emission offset requirement for new, large facilities locating in the nonattainment area and major expansions to large, existing facilities, which are required to offset every ton of emissions by 1.15 tons.
  • Contingency measures (i.e., measures to be deployed if the nonattainment area does not meet yearly emission reduction milestones).
  • Potential emission controls for intrastate facilities or other emission sources located outside the Phoenix-Mesa nonattainment area.

Many urban areas across the nation are facing similar challenges with ozone, according to MAG which noted a major contributor to ozone pollution is vehicle emissions.

Officials suggested these tips to help lower ozone levels:

  • Reduce the number of miles driven. Drive as little as possible: carpool, use public transit or telecommute.  For information on transportation alternatives, visit Valley Metro at www.ShareTheRide.com.
  • Fuel vehicles after dark or during cooler evening hours.
  • Use low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) or water-based paints, stains, finishes and paint strippers.
  • Delay big painting projects until high-pollution advisories or health watches have passed.
  • Make sure containers of household cleaners, garage and yard chemicals and other solvents are sealed properly to prevent vapors from evaporating into the air.
  • Eliminate wood burning in fireplaces, stoves, chimineas and outdoor fire pits.
  • Avoid using leaf blowers.
  • Conserve electricity.
  • Make the switch from gasoline to electric or battery powered lawn and garden equipment. For information on the Mowing Down Pollution and Commercial Lawn and Garden Programs, visit CleanAirMakeMore.com/Lawn.