EPA proposes redesignation of Phoenix area 
as attaining 1-hour ozone standard

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (03/16/05) -- The U.S. EPA has proposed to redesignate the Phoenix metropolitan area as having met the federal health standard for 1-hour ozone. 

EPA said the Phoenix area has not violated the federal 1-hour ozone standard in the last eight years, despite its growth into one of the country's major metropolitan areas. The Agency also proposed to approve the state's plan that shows how the region will continue to maintain healthy levels of 1-hour ozone in the area.

The agency also approved a boundary change to exclude the Gila River Indian Community from the Phoenix 1-hour ozone maintenance area given topography, meteorology, population and expected growth, and other factors show that the area is and continues to be isolated from historic 1-hour ozone problems associated with the Phoenix area north of the reservation.

"The state and local community have worked hard to improve Phoenix's air quality and we commend that effort," said EPA Region 9 Administrator Wayne Nastri. "We must now build on this progress to address additional regional air pollutants, such as coarse particulate matter and 8-hour ozone, for all Phoenix residents."

After the 1990 Clean Air Act amendments, the Phoenix area did not meet the moderate 1-hour ozone standard by the Nov. 15, 1996 deadline. In 1997, the EPA reclassified the area to serious, with a new attainment date of November 15, 1999. The Phoenix metropolitan area has not exceeded the 1-hour ozone standard since 1996. 

More information is available online.