Arizona Gets EPA Nod for Gila County Air Cleanup
Published Date: 5/22/2026
Rule
Summary
The EPA just gave a thumbs-up to Arizona’s plan to clean up the air in Gila County, part of the Phoenix-Mesa area, by approving new pollution control rules for ozone. This means local businesses and communities will follow updated technology standards to keep the air healthier, starting June 22, 2026. It’s a win for cleaner skies without extra costs for the public!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
EPA Approves Gila County RACT SIP
The EPA approved the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality's demonstration that Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) requirements for the 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards apply to the Gila County portion of the Phoenix-Mesa 2015 ozone nonattainment area. The ADEQ document was adopted March 24, 2025, submitted March 26, 2025, and the EPA's approval is effective June 22, 2026.
Negative Declarations Approved for Many Source Categories
EPA approved ADEQ's negative declarations for the Gila County portion of the Phoenix-Mesa 2015 ozone nonattainment area. The table lists numerous Control Technique Guideline (CTG) categories (for example: gasoline service stations, surface coating of cans/coils/paper/fabrics, solvent metal cleaning, tank truck gasoline loading terminals, and many others) that were adopted March 24, 2025, submitted March 26, 2025, and SIP-approved May 22, 2026.
EPA Finds No Significant Small-Entity Impact
The EPA certified that this SIP approval is "not having a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities" under the Regulatory Flexibility Act and states it "does not impose additional requirements beyond those imposed by state law." The rule is effective June 22, 2026.
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