June 20, 2006

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has formally recognized the significant progress Michigan has made to improve the air quality in 11 counties considered to be out of attainment with federal ozone standards. This achievement will mean more flexibility for businesses in these areas, while continuing to improve the local environment.

The Department of Environmental Quality has continued to monitor ground-level ozone concentrations and determined that the results for the past four years have met the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone in Ingham, Eaton, Clinton, Kent, Ottawa, Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Van Buren, Benzie, Mason, and Huron Counties.

This improvement was the basis of a recent DEQ petition to waive the stringent requirements for air permitting that were required for the 11 nonattainment counties. The DEQ’s petition stated that these additional restrictions on nitrogen oxides (NOx) had become unnecessary because further NOx emission reductions were not needed for these areas to meet the ozone standard. The EPA agreed with the DEQ and granted the NOx exemption.

“This recognition of cleaner air by the EPA is the result of the commitment made by the business community to reduce emissions,” said DEQ Director Steven E. Chester. “This exemption enhances the prospect for economic development in these 11 counties, and demonstrates our ideal of creating a healthy environment, and a healthy economy.”

Ozone is an air pollutant that forms on hot summer days, and NOx emissions are a precursor in ozone formation. Total NOx emissions have been reduced dramatically across the state over the past four years as power plants, large industrial boilers, and motor vehicles have added or improved pollution control equipment to comply with state and federal environmental regulations.

The NOx exemption will not result in deterioration in air quality as NOx emissions will continue to decline over the next decade as power plants add technologies to meet federal Clean Air Interstate Rule pollution restrictions, and vehicle manufacturers improve pollution prevention technologies.

Michigan has also requested that EPA change the legal status of these 11 counties from nonattainment to attainment of the ozone standard. EPA is currently reviewing the DEQ support documents for attainment redesignation.

For more information on air quality where you live, visit the DEQ “AIR” Web page at www.michigan.gov/deqair.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

“Protecting Michigan’s Environment, Ensuring Michigan’s Future”

Revised June 20, 2006 by Pat Watson