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Ground-level Ozone

Regulatory Actions

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Other Regulatory Actions
related to
Ground-level Ozone

This page contains a listing of all regulatory actions related to ground-level ozone.

 

Ozone Standards

EPA releases documents on the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone
In the interests of transparency, the Administration has released the EPA’s recommendation on the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone. You can find that recommendation in the documents on this page. The Agency will implement the standards set during the previous Administration while we continue the on-going 5-year review of the updated science, which is scheduled to be completed in 2013.

Statement by EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson on the Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards
September 2, 2011 - Since day one, under President Obama's leadership, EPA has worked to ensure health protections for the American people, and has made tremendous progress to ensure that Clean Air Act standards protect all Americans by reducing our exposures to harmful air pollution like mercury, arsenic and carbon dioxide. This Administration has put in place some of the most important standards and safeguards for clean air in U.S. history: the most significant reduction of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide air pollution across state borders; a long-overdue proposal to finally cut mercury pollution from power plants; and the first-ever carbon pollution standards for cars and trucks. We will revisit the ozone standard, in compliance with the Clean Air Act.

EPA Updates Status of the Ozone Reconsideration
July 26, 2011 - Administrator Jackson is fully committed to finalizing EPA's reconsideration of the Clean Air Act health standard for ground level ozone. That reconsideration is currently going through interagency review led by OMB. Following completion of this final step, EPA will finalize its reconsideration, but will not issue the final rule on July 29th, the date the agency had intended. We look forward to finalizing this standard shortly. A new ozone standard will be based on the best science and meet the obligation established under the Clean Air Act to protect the health of the American people. In implementing this new standard, EPA will use the long-standing flexibility in the Clean Air Act to consider costs, jobs and the economy.

EPA Administrator Requests More Input from Agency's Science Advisors
December 8, 2010 - In January 2010 EPA proposed stricter standards for smog. As part of EPA's extensive review of the science, Administrator Jackson will ask the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) for further interpretation of the epidemiological and clinical studies they used to make their recommendation. To ensure EPA's decision is grounded in the best science, EPA will review the input CASAC provides before the new standard is selected. Given this ongoing scientific review, EPA intends to set a final standard in the range recommended by the CASAC by the end of July, 2011.

Proposed Revisions to National Standards for Ground-Level Ozone
January 6, 2010 – The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed to strengthen the national ambient air quality standards for ground-level ozone. Ground-level ozone is a primary component of smog. The proposed revisions are based on scientific evidence about ozone and its effects on people and sensitive trees and plants. EPA will accept comments for 60 days following publication of the proposal in the Federal Register.

EPA to Reconsider National Standards for Ground-Level Ozone
September 16, 2009 - The Environmental Protection Agency announced it would reconsider its 2008 decision setting national standards for ground-level ozone. EPA is reconsidering the standards to ensure they are clearly grounded in science, protect public health with an adequate margin of safety, and are sufficient to protect the environment.

Revisions to Ozone Monitoring Network Design Requirements
July 8, 2009 The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed revisions to ground-level ozone air quality monitoring network design requirements. The proposed revisions would support changes to the primary and secondary national air quality standards for ozone that EPA issued in March 2008.

Strengthened National Standards for Ground-Level Ozone
March 12, 2008 - The Environmental Protection Agency significantly strengthened its national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for ground-level ozone, the primary component of smog. These changes will improve both public health protection and the protection of sensitive trees and plants.

EPA Extends Deadline for Faxed Comments on the Proposed Ozone Standards
The public comment period for EPA's proposed rule addressing the ozone standards closed on October 9, 2007. However the Agency will accept comments by fax only through Monday October 15, 2007. Please use the following number to submit comments by fax: 202-566-9744.

Ozone Proposal Fax Number Change
October 5, 2007 - For those wishing to submit comments by fax on EPA's proposed rule addressing the ozone standards, the fax number listed in the June 21, 2007 Federal Register notice announcing the Agency's proposed rule is incorrect. Please use the following number to submit comments by fax: 202-566-9744.

Current Speaker Lists for September 5, 2007 Hearings Available
August 31, 2007 - EPA will hold hearings on the recently proposed ozone standards on Wednesday, September 5, 2007. Click on the location below to view the list of speakers, current as on August 31, 2007.

Current Speaker Lists for August 30, 2007 Hearings Available
August 27, 2007 - EPA will hold the first hearings on the recently proposed ozone standards on Thursday, August 30, 2007. Click on the location below to view the list of speakers, current as on August 27, 2007.

EPA Announces Availability of Regulatory Impact Analysis for Proposed Ozone Standards
August 2, 2007 - EPA completes benefits and costs analysis on the proposal to strengthen the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ground-level ozone.

EPA Announces Five Public Hearings for Proposed Ground-level Ozone Standards
July 27, 2007 - EPA will hold public hearings in Los Angeles, California and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on August 30, 2007. The next week on September 5, 2007, EPA will hold public hearings in Atlanta, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; and Houston, Texas.

Proposed Revisions to Ozone National Standards
June 20, 2007 - The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed revisions to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ground-level ozone. The proposed revisions would strengthen the ground-level ozone standards that are associated with public health concerns. EPA will accept comments for 90 days after the publication of the proposal in the Federal Register.

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Ozone Designations and Classifications

Learn more about ozone designations and classifications:

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Ozone Implementation

Guidance on Removing Stage II Gasoline Vapor Control Programs from State Implementation Plans and Assessing Comparable Measures
August 7, 2012 - EPA issued guidance for removing stage II gasoline vapor control programs from state implementation plans and assessing comparable measures.

Final Rule Waives Requirements for Gas Pump Vapor Recovery
May 9, 2012 - EPA has determined that the systems used at gas station pumps to capture harmful gasoline vapors while refueling cars can be phased out. Modern vehicles are equipped to capture those emissions. Beginning later this year, states may begin the process of phasing out vapor recovery systems at the pump.

Final Approach for Establishing Nonattainment Area Classifications and Attainment Deadlines
April 30, 2012 - Final rule directs key aspects of the implementation of the 2008 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ground-level ozone.

Implementing the 1997 8-hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards
April 27, 2012 - This final action revises the 2004 rule that specified the first phase of requirements that state, tribal and local air pollution control agencies would follow to meet the 1997 8-hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards. As a result of this action, the Clean Air Act classifications for 16 areas of the U.S. will be revised.

Implementing the 2008 National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Ozone: Proposed Nonattainment Area Classifications Approach and Attainment Deadlines
February 7, 2012 - This action proposes a range of ozone levels for each ozone nonattainment area classification as well as the date by which these areas would be required to meet the standards.

EPA proposes criteria for waiving federal requirements for vapor recovery systems at gas stations in areas with high ground-level ozone.
July 8, 2011 EPA is proposing criteria for determining that there is widespread use of onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) for capturing gasoline vapor emissions when gasoline-powered vehicles are refueled.

EPA proposes revisions to the reasonable further progress requirements for the 1997 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard.
December 15, 2010 - EPA is proposing to revise an earlier interpretation of its rule regarding requirements for Reasonable Further Progress (RFP) State Implementation Plans, and is also seeking comment on retaining the existing RFP approach.

EPA Issues Guidance for Fee Collection Programs - 1979 1-hour Ozone Standard
January 5, 2010 - EPA issued a guidance memorandum to help states develop fee collection programs for the 1-hour ozone standard.

EPA Makes Findings of Failure to Submit State Implementation Plans (SIPs) -- 1979 1-hour Ozone Standard
January 5, 2010 - EPA issued a finding that California missed a Clean Air Act deadline for submitting an element of its State Implementation Plan for implementing EPAs national air quality standards for ozone.

EPA Completes Revisions to 1997 8-Hour Ozone Implementation Phase 2 Rule to Address Vacatur and Remand of Reasonable Further Progress Credits
August 5, 2009 - This final rule will allow states to take credit for reductions of Volatile Organic Compound and nitrogen oxides emissions outside of a nonattainment area if the state can demonstrate that those reductions would help the nonattainment area meet its reasonable further progress goals.

EPA Sets Schedule for Flagging Exceptional Ozone Air Quality Monitoring Data
May 13, 2009 - EPA established schedule for states to submit exceptional events claims that may affect the status of an area under the 2008 ozone standards.

EPA proposes to disapprove seven ozone attainment demonstrations and makes one finding of failure to submit ozone attainment demonstrations. -- 1997 Ozone Standard
April 29, 2009 - EPA proposed disapprovals for the ozone attainment demonstration element of the State Implementation Plans (SIPs) for five states and is also making a finding that two states missed the June 15, 2007 Clean Air Act deadline for submitting ozone attainment demonstrations.

EPA proposes rule to implement the subpart 1 area reclassification and provisions under former 1997 1-hour ozone standard.
January 9, 2009 - EPA proposes a response to the DC Circuit Courts vacatur of an April 2004 rule known as the Phase 1 Ozone Implementation Rule.

EPA Proposes to Revise 1997 8-Hour Ozone Implementation Phase 2 Rule to Address Vacatur and Remand of Reasonable Further Progress Credits
July 14, 2008 EPA proposes to revise a provision of the Phase 2 Ozone Implementation Rule for the 1997 ozone air quality standard. The provision allows 8-hour ozone nonattainment areas to take credit for emissions reductions outside the nonattainment area for purposes of the Reasonable Further Progress (RFP) requirement.

EPA Makes Findings of Failure to Submit State Implementation Plans (SIPs) -- 1997 Ozone Standard
March 17, 2008 - EPA issued findings that 11 states missed Clean Air Act deadlines for submitting plans, or elements of plans, for implementing EPA’s national air quality standards for ozone.

Findings on Meeting Basic Program Requirements for State Implementation Plans -- 1997 Ozone Standard
March 17, 2008 - EPA signed a Federal Register notice making "completeness" findings for all states and territories. These findings pertain to the "infrastructure" requirements that all states must have in their regulatory plans to attain, maintain, and enforce the 1997 National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ground-level ozone.

Final Notice of Reconsideration - Aspects of Phase 2 Implementation Rule
May 31, 2007 - EPA completed reconsideration on several issues associated the ozone implementation rule requirements and their interaction with the Clean Air Interstate Rule and the New Source Review permitting program.

Proposed Notice of Reconsideration - Aspects of Phase 2 Implementation Rule
December 11, 2006 - EPA is requesting public comment on several issues associated the ozone implementation rule requirements and their interaction with the Clean Air Interstate Rule and the New Source Review permitting program.

Proposed Notice of Reconsideration - Overwhelming Transport Classification
EPA is requesting public comment on several issues associated with the overwhelming transport classification available to certain areas designated “nonattainment” because they do not meet EPA’s 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard.

EPA’s Final Implementation Rule - Phase 2
November 9, 2005 - EPA issued a final rule that will take the next steps to protect the American public from ground-level ozone pollution. This rule, often called the Phase 2 Ozone Rule, outlines the remaining elements of the program to implement the 8-hour ground-level ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard that EPA established in July 1997. State, tribal and local government will rely upon these requirements as they develop their plans showing how they will attain or maintain the 8-hour ozone standard.

Ozone Clean Air Progress Will Continue
July 26, 2005 - EPA identified the boundaries, designations, and classifications for areas under the 1-hour ozone standard that were in place as of June 15, 2004.

EPA's Final Implementation Rule-Phase I
On June 15, 2004, EPA issued the final rule to implement the 8-hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard-Phase I. The phase I final rule sets forth the classification scheme for nonattainment areas and requires States' continued obligations with respect to existing 1-hour ozone requirements.

NOx SIP Call
In October, 1998, EPA finalized the "Finding of Significant Contribution and Rulemaking for Certain States in the Ozone Transport Assessment Group Region for Purposes of Reducing Regional Transport of Ozone." (Commonly called the NOx SIP Call.)

Learn more about ozone implementation

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Early Action Compacts

Learn more about early action compacts

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