Congressman Biggs Applauds EPA Decision Not to Escalate Maricopa County Air Quality Designation

Today, Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ) applauds the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) decision not to escalate Maricopa County's ozone designation from "moderate" to "serious," sparing Arizona families and businesses from a new wave of costly and ineffective federal regulations.

In February 2025, Congressman Biggs led a letter to President Donald Trump urging his Administration to halt the redesignation of Maricopa County's ozone nonattainment status. The letter highlighted that more than 80 percent of emissions affecting Arizona originate outside the state's control and warned that additional regulations would "only serve to halt economic and industrial development" without improving air quality.

"The decision by the EPA is a win for common sense, sound science, and the people of Arizona," said Congressman Biggs. "For years, bureaucrats in Washington ignored the reality that the overwhelming majority of Maricopa County's air pollution comes from natural sources or international transport. Imposing stricter local regulations would have done nothing to meaningfully improve air quality while crushing economic growth in one of the fastest-growing regions in the country.

"Arizona is home to critical industries-from semiconductor manufacturing to national defense-that are essential to our national security and future growth. We cannot afford to strangle that progress with ineffective mandates. I'm grateful the EPA recognized the facts and followed the law. I will continue working with President Trump's Administration to ensure Arizona's economy remains strong while pursuing practical, results-driven environmental policies."