EPA Modifies Air Quality Standards For Ozone

On October 1, 2015 the United States Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") adopted a more stringent air quality standard for ground-level ozone emissions that reduces the national standard from 75 parts per billion ("ppb") to 70 ppb. By promulgating a new ozone standard, EPA says it aims to reduce smog from ground-level emission sources, including power plants, smoke stacks, and automobiles. In conjunction with the new standard, EPA also issued an "Implementation Memo," which outlines the agency's plans for addressing various implementation issues under the new standard.

The new ozone standard was issued as part of EPA's authority under Sections 108 and 109 of the Clean Air Act ("CAA") to establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards (also referred to as "NAAQS"). These sections of the CAA require EPA to periodically review its NAAQS. As a result, EPA conducted a review of its ozone NAAQS beginning in 2008, which resulted in the issuance of a proposed rule to