EPA Decision Supports Maricopa County’s Business Environment Amid Ozone Concerns
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has rendered a decision favoring Maricopa County, a move that safeguards the region’s business growth potential. The agency recognized that external emissions, originating from beyond the United States, are elevating local ground-level ozone levels. Without these uncontrollable pollutants, Maricopa County would have adhered to the 2015 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone.
As a result, the county has retained its status as a “moderate” nonattainment area instead of being reclassified as “serious,” a change that would have imposed stricter regulations potentially hindering economic expansion.
Board of Supervisors Chair Kate Brophy McGee, representing District 3, expressed satisfaction with the EPA’s decision, stating, “For years, Maricopa County has taken significant steps to reduce air pollution, through outreach programs and practical compliance tools for businesses. But we don’t think we should face further regulations that harm business for the types of pollution we can’t control. I’m pleased the EPA agrees with our position. We remain committed to pursuing programs and initiatives that improve air quality in Maricopa County.”
The Clean Air Act mandates the EPA to set primary and secondary standards for pollutants that pose threats to public health, such as ozone. Under the 2015 8-hour ozone NAAQS, Maricopa County is designated as a moderate nonattainment area, indicating that ozone levels in some parts surpass the standard, necessitating air quality planning and measures to curb ozone precursors like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ).
The EPA had been considering whether to elevate the area’s designation to “serious” due to ongoing exceedances, which would require more rigorous control measures. However, Maricopa County, in collaboration with the Maricopa Association of Governments and the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, provided evidence of the impact of international emissions, wildfires, and other factors outside local control on regional ozone levels. Consequently, EPA has issued its final decision on the matter, keeping Maricopa County’s moderate status intact.
Philip McNeely, Director of the Maricopa County Air Quality Department, voiced commitment to local air quality initiatives, stating, “By maintaining moderate nonattainment status, Maricopa County can continue to focus on reducing pollution and finding solutions specific to our area. These include outreach, incentive programs for residents, practical compliance tools for business, and the pursuit of innovative emission-reduction credit rules. We are committed to clean air initiatives that make Maricopa County a healthier place to live.”
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