EPA air quality ruling for metro Phoenix means businesses avoid new costs

A recent EPA air quality ruling is giving the Phoenix-Mesa area a pass for failing to meet federal air quality standards.

Over 80% of the ozone impacting Phoenix comes from out-of-state sources, like California and Mexico, according to regional and federal authorities.

This makes meeting federal air quality standards difficult to achieve, according to Danny Seiden, the president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The ruling's rationale comes from an exemption granted in the Clean Air Act, which gives states an opportunity to demonstrate a region would have met federal standards if outside pollutants weren't a factor.

Seiden said this exemption is essential for Arizona businesses.

“This again is a recognition of, OK, it’s not coming from you. You shouldn’t be held responsible in your area for this," Seiden said.

Without the exemption, businesses would likely face new permitting costs and compliance mandates.

Diane Brown, executive director of the Arizona chapter of Public Interest Research Group, criticized the exemption.

“By pointing the finger at another country or another state, Arizona fails to take responsibility for pollution caused within state boundaries," Brown said.

Seiden said multiple companies have committed to reducing in-state air pollution by offsetting their own emissions.