California's San Joaquin Valley Misses Ozone Deadline, Faces Polluter Fees
Published Date: 9/25/2025
Rule
Summary
The San Joaquin Valley in California didn’t meet the 1997 ozone air quality goals by the June 15, 2024 deadline. Because of this, California must take extra steps to clean the air, including charging fees to certain polluters. These actions aim to help the valley breathe easier and meet future air quality standards.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
State Must Run Contingency Measures
Because the San Joaquin Valley missed the 1997 8-hour ozone target by the June 15, 2024 deadline, California must implement nonattainment contingency measures to reduce ozone pollution in the Valley. This determination is based on air monitoring data from 2021 through 2023 and is meant to help the Valley meet future air quality standards.
Fees Imposed on Stationary Polluters
Because the San Joaquin Valley failed to attain the 1997 ozone standard by June 15, 2024, California is required to implement the stationary source fee program under Clean Air Act section 185, which charges fees to certain stationary polluters in the Valley. The determination relies on certified monitoring data from 2021 through 2023.
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