Oklahoma state officials say counties will likely meet new EPA standards

Oklahoma is expected to be able to meet tighter limits for ground-level ozone, or smog, unveiled Thursday by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Environmental and health groups argued that the rules fall short.

The Arizona agency now monitor ozone concentrations in 10 counties and says nine of those counties report ozone levels in excess of EPA’s new standard too frequently.

But Sandoval, whose administration more warmly embraced the EPA’s August decision to reduce emissions from coal-fired power plants, expressed concern over the latest rule. After pledging during his first presidential campaign to tighten ozone limits, Obama backtracked in 2011 by yanking the EPA’s proposed ozone limits amid intense pressure from industry and the GOP.

Ozone season is coming to a close, and the good news is Tulsa is below recently lowered EPA standards. I am glad that the EPA continued to move forward with that commitment to health protection, especially for those with respiratory and cardiac disease.

Officials are likely to publicly announce the ozone threshold and explain their thinking by mid-afternoon, two sources briefed on the plans said.

From there, she chose to add in a “margin of safety” to protect vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly and those suffering from heart and lung ailments. However, the organisation said it often takes the EPA years to provide the needed rules and guidance.

Sunday said the current standard of 75 ppb was working to lower air pollution in Pennsylvania. “It’s very challenging. There’s no bright line”.

Business groups also reacted harshly.

Industry groups, such as the National Association of Manufacturers, have run television advertisements against the regulation in the weeks leading up to the announcement. They said the new standard was a step in the right direction but did not go far enough.

The agency has also released a discussion draft of its strategy for the state to meet the new federal air quality standards and build on previous efforts to meet climate goals over the next 15 years. Ground-level ozone is formed when the sun heats nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds.

In a lengthy statement to reporters, McCarthy said the best available clinical data show that 72 parts per billion “is the lowest ozone exposure that causes adverse health effects in healthy, exercising adults”.

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) said the agency’s action puts $10 billion in chemical industry investment at risk.

Department of Natural Resources Secretary Cathy Stepp told the EPA in a March 17 letter on her letterhead, and signed by an aide, that if ozone levels are reduced significantly, it would harm the state’s manufacturing economy and that “half of all counties in Wisconsin” could be designated as in violation of the law.