Arizona’s air quality and specifically Maricopa County’s pollution problems were the focus of a discussion between Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly and Environmental Protection Agency Director Lee Zeldin on Wednesday.
Kelly welcomed Zeldin to Phoenix so he could meet with local industry leaders and officials as the state struggles with air quality, specifically Maricopa County not meeting the ambient air quality standard and statewide planning to dissipate pollution.
Kelly said emissions have decreased in Maricopa County, while ozone levels are steadily increasing.
"What we want here in Maricopa County, kind of across the state, is clean air, lower ozone, but at the same time have a growing economy," Kelly said.
He also said wildfires could be the cause for higher ozone levels in the state, but he believes studies are needed to verify his claim.
Zeldin said he will meet with the EPA team to figure out how to accomplish as much as possible to improve air quality in Arizona.
"If anything, for any great reason, is going to take a little bit more time, I’m going to want to know why," Zeldin said.
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