Gallego Urges Administration Not to Punish Arizona for Ozone Pollution Outside Its Control

Gallego Urges Administration Not to Punish Arizona for Ozone Pollution Outside Its Control

WASHINGTON - Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03)sent a letter to the Environmental Protect Agency (EPA) urging it to expand its research and study of ozone levels in the Intermountain West to investigate why ozone concentrations are not decreasing despite repeated efforts by states and localities to implement ozone reduction policies.

"Based on the EPA's own Good Neighbor Ozone Modeling, over 80% of the emissions assigned to Arizona are not produced or controlled by residents, but rather come from Natural Sources, International Transport, and Interstate Transport," Rep. Gallego wrote. "Furthermore, there is a concerning trend in which ozone levels remain the same or even increase in some areas even as rigorous emissions activities are being put in place. States and localities are struggling to understand this trend, and that is where we need the EPA's assistance."

In the letter, Rep. Gallego asks the EPA to use its vast scientific resources and expertise to study the divergence between monitored ozone levels and documented reductions in ozone precursor emissions in the Intermountain West, improve understanding of background and baseline ozone levels, and examine the policy implications of ozone implementation, including transportation planning.

The letter is supported by the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) and the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

"While we are proud of the achievements and prosperity we have advanced in our region, we appreciate Rep. Gallego's recognition that the challenge of addressing ozone pollution requires a better understanding of what is leading to rising ozone concentrations," said Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke, Chair of MAG.

"We appreciate Rep. Gallego for his proactive and practical approach to addressing Arizona's unique air quality challenges. It's crucial to have leaders in Washington who understand the need to balance environmental stewardship with economic development, and who are willing to push back against federal regulations that threaten Arizona's job creation and competitiveness. We're thankful for the Congressman's leadership and look forward to continuing to work together to protect jobs and foster sustainable growth in Arizona," said Arizona Chamber President & CEO Danny Seiden.

"In my extensive conversations with stakeholders throughout Arizona, it is clear that local leaders are committed to protecting public health while continuing to grow sustainably, especially in the fields of clean energy production and green technology manufacturing," Rep. Gallego concludes. "Doing so will require federal engagement as well as local buy-in, and the research requested here could go a long way in ensuring that local ozone reduction efforts are focused on the right factors."

Full text of the letter can be found HERE.

The letter builds on Rep. Gallego's work to ensure Maricopa County is not unfairly punished for pollution outside its control. Following his calls, last month the Administration announced the conditional approval of a new rule which will allow for new offsets to create clean air credits in Maricopa County.