Arizona's Gila County Ozone Fix Approved by EPA
Published Date: 2/12/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA is proposing to approve Arizona’s plan to reduce ozone pollution in Gila County, part of the Phoenix-Mesa area. This update requires businesses to use better pollution controls to meet cleaner air standards by following smart technology rules. People and companies in Gila County should get ready, and comments on this plan are open until March 16, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
No RACT Controls for Gila County
The EPA proposes to approve Arizona’s March 26, 2025 RACT SIP for the Gila County portion of the Phoenix‑Mesa ozone nonattainment area, which certifies there are no sources subject to RACT in that portion. ADEQ submitted negative declarations after finding no air‑permitted sources, and the EPA found the area represents less than 0.5% of the nonattainment area and is entirely National Forest and National Park land. For a Moderate ozone nonattainment area the major source threshold is 100 tons per year of emissions; the SIP says no sources meet that threshold in this Gila County portion.
No New Federal Burden On Small Entities
The EPA states this proposed approval would not impose federal requirements beyond state law and is certified as not having a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. If finalized, the negative declarations will be added into the Arizona SIP and into 40 CFR 52.122, and the public may comment until March 16, 2026.
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