EPA proposing to redesignate Baton Rouge area to attainment for ozone (LA)
Proposal will affect Ascension, East Baton
Rouge, Iberville, Livingston and West Baton Rouge
Parishes
(Dallas, Texas – Aug.17, 2011) The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to approve the state
of Louisiana’s request to reclassify the Baton Rouge area to
attainment of the 1997 8-hour ozone standard. By decreasing
ground-level ozone, Baton Rouge and the state of Louisiana are
improving air quality and human health for more than 800,000
residents.
“Today we are acknowledging an important
accomplishment for Baton Rouge,” said EPA Regional
Administrator Al Armendariz. “We look forward to working with
state and city officials, business and local organizations as we
continue efforts to improve air quality and protect public
health.”
Preliminary air quality data for 2011 continues
to show that the area meets the 1997 8-hour standard as well as the
1-hour standard for ozone. Louisiana has demonstrated that the five
parish area will be able to maintain compliance with the ozone
standard for the next ten years. Current air pollution controls
enable the area to maintain clean air quality. EPA will continue to
work with State and local officials to ensure the area remains in
compliance.
In a separate action, EPA has proposed to
reconsider the 8-hour standard for ozone and a final decision on
the new standard is expected soon. However, the reconsideration
will not affect today’s action.
Ground-level ozone is formed when a mixture of
pollutants react on warm, sunny days. The pollutants are released
from cars, factories and a wide variety of other sources. Ozone can
cause respiratory problems, including coughing, wheezing, shortness
of breath and chest pain.
The proposal will be published in the Federal
Register in about 10 days. An advance copy is available on the EPA
website. After publication, EPA will take public comment on the
proposal for 30 days.
To submit public comments, visit docket number EPA-R06-OAR-2010-0776 at www.regulations.gov.
Additional information on the eight-hour ozone
standard is available at
http://www.epa.gov/ozonedesignations/index.htm.
More about activities in EPA Region 6: http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.html
EPA audio file is available at https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-6-south-central