San Joaquin Valley Cleared for Ozone Attainment Status
Published Date: 6/23/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA wants to officially recognize that the San Joaquin Valley in California has cleaned up its air enough to meet old ozone pollution rules. This means the area can be redesignated from 'needs improvement' to 'meeting standards,' which lifts some old pollution rules and shows progress. Local communities and businesses can expect clearer air and fewer restrictions starting soon, thanks to this new plan.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
San Joaquin Valley redesignation to attainment
The EPA is proposing to redesignate the San Joaquin Valley in California from "nonattainment" to "attainment" for the revoked 1979 1-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard based on the "2023 Maintenance Plan and Redesignation Request." The EPA also proposes to find that California's request meets all Clean Air Act criteria for redesignation.
Termination of anti-backsliding obligations
The EPA is proposing to terminate all anti-backsliding obligations for the San Joaquin Valley area that related to the revoked 1979 1-hour ozone standard. This would remove the remaining regulatory obligations tied to that revoked 1-hour ozone NAAQS for the San Joaquin Valley.
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