EPAFinal Rule
Air Quality State Implementation Plans; Approvals and Promulgations: San Joaquin Valley 1-Hour Ozone Area; Maintenance Plan and Redesignation Request
EnvironmentHealthcare
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Summary
The EPA is approving California's plan to improve air quality in the San Joaquin Valley, which has struggled with smog and ozone pollution. The region can now be designated as meeting federal air quality standards if it maintains the improvements it has made, meaning less strict oversight while still requiring continued pollution controls.
Key Points
- 1The San Joaquin Valley in California is being recognized for reducing dangerous ozone levels that harm people's breathing and health
- 2The area can be 'redesignated' from non-attainment to maintenance status, meaning it meets federal air quality standards for the first time in decades
- 3A maintenance plan requires the region to keep pollution controls in place for at least 10 more years to prevent air quality from getting worse again
- 4This affects millions of residents in the valley who breathe the air, particularly children and people with asthma or lung disease
- 5The region must continue monitoring air quality and report back to the EPA to prove it is maintaining the improvements
Key Dates
Published
September 25, 2025
This summary is for informational purposes only. It may not capture all nuances of the regulation. Always refer to the official text for authoritative information.
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