Coachella Valley Hits Old Ozone Target, EPA Confirms
Published Date: 8/13/2026
Rule
Summary
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to determine that the Riverside County (Coachella Valley), CA 1997 ozone "Extreme" nonattainment area attained the revoked 1997 ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) by its June 15, 2025 attainment date. This determination is based on quality-assured and certified ambient air quality monitoring data from 2022 through 2024.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Coachella Valley 1997 Ozone Attainment
The EPA determined that Riverside County (Coachella Valley) attained the 1997 ozone standard (0.08 ppm) by the June 15, 2025 attainment date, based on quality-assured monitoring data from 2022–2024 (design value 0.084 ppm). This final rule is effective September 14, 2026, and the attainment finding relieves the area's contingency measure requirements under CAA sections 182(c)(9) and 172(c)(9) and means the area is not required to implement penalty fees under CAA section 185 for the 1997 ozone NAAQS.
No Immediate Permit-Class Change for Tribal Areas
The EPA states that this attainment determination does not change the nonattainment classification for any Tribal or non-Tribal parts of the Coachella Valley for the 1997 ozone NAAQS. The agency notes that only a future redesignation (which has not been requested) would change major source permitting thresholds for the 1997 standard, but that practical changes are unlikely because the area remains Extreme for the 2008 ozone NAAQS.
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